Bury’s latest Olympic medallist, 400m runner Hannah Kelly, admits she still has to pinch herself after winning bronze in Paris.

The 23-year-old Bolton United Harrier helped Team GB’s women’s 4x400 relay team to a podium spot at her first Games.

And she admits it has been a surreal whirlwind few weeks which saw her become an Olympian and achieve her childhood dreams.

But it has only given her a taste for more and after a well-deserved break, she is already eyeing next year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Speaking exclusively to The Bolton News and Bury Times, Kelly said: “It was an amazing experience. It is what you dream about as a youngster to be part of the Olympics.

“Not just being part of Team GB, which is an amazing squad, but also with all the other athletes from around the world.

“Team GB look after us all so well - they make competing so much easier.

“The relay girls are my best friends but there are lots of other track athletes I know as well from competing against them throughout my career so far, like Amy Hunt. And there are others around my age who I get on with.

“But the 4x400 team are the ones I get on best with naturally.

“Everyone has been so supportive and made it such an amazing feeling to be part of it all - and to get a medal is such a dream.

“To be part of eight of us altogether on the podium was incredible. Only four can run in the final but it really is a team which is so strong and supportive of each other.

“To race in that stadium was absolutely amazing. There were 80,000 people there and the noise was incredible - especially in our heat racing alongside the French team with the home support.

“It was important to take it all in and I tried to do that. You have to really. You do pinch yourself when you are so young and becoming an Olympian - what you have always dreamed of.

“It still doesn’t feel real - I keep looking at my medal and making sure it is real.

“I think for me to have such an amazing year after being injured most of last season has made it even more special.

“I was considering racing again this year but have decided to have a break.

“I won’t be far off getting back in training, though, as the planning for next season is already under way. There are the World Championships next year which will be another major event if I can get there.

“Ultimately, the aim is to compete individually at 400m as well as still doing the relays.”

Kelly has long been on the radar as a rising star on the local athletics scene, but now the rest of the country knows her name.

And while it can be a culture shock for some, she accepts it is part of the territory as an Olympic medallist.

And she knows her family’s support will help her along the way.

They were in Paris to see her race, though there was a tinge of sadness her grandad, who was one of her biggest fans, died just before the Games.

Kelly added: “Grandad would have been so proud. He passed away just before the Games.

“He used to take me to lots of races and he would have loved seeing me on that podium.

“The whole family are so supportive and it was great they were able to come to Paris and watch me.

“My coach [Les Hall] was also able to get there and that was special for me as well - I was so pleased. He has been coaching me for 13 years, so it was great for him to be in Paris.

“They have all been so proud and I believe the club at Bolton Harriers are also planning a welcome back for me, which is nice.

“The support from everyone in the country, too, has been amazing. When we got back on the Eurostar there were so many fans wishing us well.

“Then we had the homecoming event in Manchester last weekend - the response has been insane.

“It can be easy to be overwhelmed but again, you take it all in.

“It comes with the territory the attention, so you just have to enjoy it all and get used to it at the highest level.

“You look at Keely [Hodgkinson] and what she has now after her achievement - you are in demand but have to try and enjoy it.”