Harriers hail their Olympic stars as Sophie Hitchon and Sam Murray say thank you

The pair, along with pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw, starred for Team GB at the Rio Games and returned to their roots to thank those who put them on the track (and field) to success.

Bradshaw, from Chorley. was not able to attend after her triumph at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich, but Hitchon and Murray were presented with bottles of champagne and posed for pictures with fans young and old.

Hitchon broke her own British record with her final throw in Rio to claim bronze, while London 2012 silver medallist Murray recovered from a poor start to finish ninth.

Bradshaw finished in fifth, improving on her sixth place four years earlier.

Burnley-born Hitchon, who presented the club with one of her GB vests, said: “Blackburn Harriers is an amazing club. They have always been there for me and supported me the whole way.”

Murray, from Clitheroe, said: “I always feel so proud to represent the club, and to all the athletes here, keep going and keep competing, because you never know where it can take you.”

Harriers chairman Tony Wood said: “There have been many other people that have been part of Sam’s, Sophie’s and Holly’s success, but I would like to think we’ve played a little part in what they’ve achieved, which is absolutely fantastic.

“Their achievements have a massive impact on the club. Because of Sophie, Sam and Holly, we’ve got people being pointed towards our club because they know we get results.

“There’s waiting list for people wanting to join.”

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern sent a special message saying: “I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Sophie, Holly and Samantha.

“It is a source of pride that for the second successive Games we have members of the Blackburn Harriers succeeding in the Olympics and the finals.

“I thank all the volunteers at the club for the fantastic efforts that go into producing such achievements. Keep up the good work.”