Frome’s Emily Diamond on ‘cloud nine’ after winning bronze medal in Rio

FROME athlete Emily Diamond is celebrating huge sporting success after winning a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay at the Rio Olympics.

Emily put in a storming third leg taking Team GB up from sixth to third place as she swept past the Canadian, Polish and Australian runners.

She handed the baton on to Christine Ohuruogu  in strong contention for a medal and Christine brought the team home for a glorious bronze – the first medal won in the women’s relay since 1992.

The medal was Team GB’s 66th in Rio which took them total past the 65 medals won in London 2012.

Speaking to the BBC after the race, Emily said, “I’m on cloud nine. It has been a whirlwind. I’m a bit speechless and have been in tears, my mum’s been in tears, it’s just amazing.

“We came into this knowing we had a shot at bronze. The Americans and Jamaicans are just so far ahead, but we knew bronze was up for grabs.

“Christine gave us a pep talk in the call room telling us to keep composed and not to panic if things aren’t going to plan in the race, and we did that.

“To come away with a bronze medal is the icing on the cake for the season.”

The BBC’s analysis of the race praised Emily’s speed which they said pushed Britain into medal contention.

Emily nearly missed out on the final after a bout of food poisoning left her bedbound the day before her heat. Speaking after the heat she said, “There was no way I was not getting on that start line, even if I had to walk around!”