Samantha Murray was an outside bet of a medal at the Games

A Prestonian has added Great Britain’s sixty-fifth medal at the Olympics when she struck silver in the Modern Women’s Pentathlon.

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Samantha Murray, who turns 23 this year, was born in Preston and is now an Olympic medalist.

She was ranked 78th in the world back in February but in a blistering turn of form she overturned the favourites to land second spot. She started the final event, the combined run and shoot, in fourth place.

Murray told BBC1: “I had a lot to make up on so I needed that run. I’ve made a few mistakes today which set me back in the field but I came through in the end and my shooting was reasonably good as well. I’m just so pleased.

“My legs kept running for me and I’m so happy. The hills as well were so steep and I just kept working really hard.”

Murray hoped her performance would inspire others.

She said: “Honestly, if you have a goal, anything you want to achieve in life, don’t let anybody get in your way, you can do it.

“There are so many people and so many things that will feel like they’re trying to set you back but honestly, find the path you want to take in life and follow it, stick to it because if I can do it – I’m a normal girl – anybody can do anything they want to do.”

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