Olympic athlete won two medals at Paris Games despite not being named in his country's official squad

An Olympic athlete claimed two medals after being left out of his country's initial squad and missing the opening ceremony.

Sam Reardon of Great Britain became the British indoor champion over 400 metres in 2023 and had aspirations of competing on the biggest stage at the Olympics in Paris.

But disaster struck for the 21-year-old as he tore his hamstring in January 2024 and missed out on the final of Britain's 400m Olympic trials - ultimately failing to make the track and athletics team.

He did return to action and ran the 400 metres in a personal best of 44.70 seconds in the London Athletics Meet and though he watched the opening ceremony from home, a quick and surprising turn of events meant he received a late call-up to the squad.

Charlie Carvell picked up an injury and had to withdraw, paving the way for Reardon to be drafted in.

And the athlete made the most of his opportunity, winning two bronze medals - one in the mixed 4x400 relay and one in the 4x400 men's relay.

Sam Reardon won two Olympic medals with Team GB. Image: Getty

“It’s been a crazy non-stop journey," he reflected to The Telegraph.

"It’s all come at me at 200mph but I’ve tried to soak it up: running sub-45 for the first time, then getting to the Olympic, getting a run, winning a medal and then winning another one.

“I’m forever a double Olympic medallist.

"I could end my career here and I’d be happy.”

Sam Reardon wants add Olympic gold in tribute of late mother

Reardon, a huge Arsenal supporter, was inspired to become an Olympian after watching the London 2012 showpiece on home soil.

His mother passed away in 2019 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and Reardon's ultimate goal is to win a Gold medal for her.

"She was a very loud supporter – always the loudest when she came to watch my track meets," he added.

“She always said it would be just as much her dream to see me on the Olympic stage, and her life would be complete if she could see me standing on the top of the podium one day singing the national anthem.

"That’s the ultimate goal – to one day stand there and sing the national anthem for her.

"But we’re going in the right direction. It meant the world to have her support.