Olympic athlete Sam Reardon has paid tribute to his mum, who lost her life to brain cancer, as he collected his medal in Paris.
After storming to third place to claim bronze in the mixed 4x400m relay, Sam and his teammates, Amber Anning, Laviai Nielsen and Alex Haydock-Wilson, headed to the podium yesterday (Monday 5th August). Touchingly, after receiving his medal Sam revealed he had carried a photo of his mum, Marilyn, onto the podium with him.
(credit: @SamReardon4 on X)
Marilyn (pictured below) was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in 2018 and underwent a debulking surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Sadly, she developed a skin infection which led to sepsis and her weakened immune system was unable to recover. She died in March 2019, aged 52.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live (from 1:55:30), Sam said: “I have a picture in my pocket of me and her with a mini marathon medal. I had this on me on the podium and it just felt like she was there with me. I know for a lot of my family this means a lot because they know how much she wanted me to be here.
“I wanted to do this not just for me, but for Mum as well in her memory and achieve that dream we both had.”
Since losing Marilyn, Sam and his family have organised several fundraisers, including a charity football match, bike rides and mountain hikes. Sharing her story with Brain Tumour Research last year, Sam said: “[Mum] was always my biggest supporter. My dream has always been to compete in the Olympics and she said she couldn’t wait for me to be on a podium singing the national anthem.”
Not only has Sam achieved his dream, but he and his teammates set a new national record with a time of 3:08:01 and won Team GB’s first athletics medal inside the Stade de France.
He added: “I wish she was here to see it but I know she’s looking on from above.”
Congratulations to Sam, Amber, Laviai and Alex on your sensational achievement!
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Published Tuesday 6th August 2024.