PITREAVIE AAC star Nicole Yeargin is an Olympic bronze medallist after helping Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the podium in the mixed 4x400 metre relay.

The 26-year-old, who is competing at her second Games in Paris, earned her gong after running for Team GB in the heats, in which the initial quartet set a new British record.

US-born Nicole, who qualifies to run for GB and Scotland as her mum, Lynn, is originally from Dunfermline, teamed-up with Samuel Reardon, Laviai Nielsen and Alex Haydock-Wilson on Friday in round one of the competition at the Stade de France.

After strong legs from Reardon and Nielsen, Haydock-Wilson's split time of 44.70 seconds enabled him to hand the baton to Nicole with GB in first place.

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She then clocked a time of 50.51 to keep the Netherlands and Italy, who also qualified for the final in second and third, at bay to ensure their progression as heat winners in a British record time of 3:10.61.

"They did the job so I just had to go," Nicole told British Athletics afterwards.

"I couldn’t see anyone on the backstretch, so I was just running for my life. I couldn’t hear anyone as it was so loud.

"I felt like I was cruising on the second bend, but I could see her coming, so it was all about holding it and bringing the team home for the win and a record."

Nicole ran the anchor leg in the heats to lead Team GB to qualification for the final in first place.Nicole ran the anchor leg in the heats to lead Team GB to qualification for the final in first place. (Image: Sam Mellish / Team GB.)

For the final, which was held on Saturday, Amber Anning was brought into the team in place of Nicole, and GB's quartet remained in contention throughout.

They went on to cross the line in a time of 3:08.01, which was good enough for third place and a bronze medal, behind gold medal winners, the Netherlands, and runners-up, the USA.

Nielsen saluted the role that Nicole played in helping the team reach the final, telling British Athletics: "I saw Nicole in the crowd and the first thing I said to her is your are an Olympic bronze medallist.

"She’s a big part of this team. Amber is one of our strongest legs but without Nicole, we wouldn’t be here, so shout out to her as well."

Posting on social media about her medal success, Nicole said: "Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and supported me along the way.

"What a journey I have been on since I was 18-years-old. I am absolutely blessed to be an Olympic medallist and get to compete alongside these brilliant runners. It has been a dream come true.

"The stadium was amazing and the crowd was electric!!"

In the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games three years ago, Nicole helped Team GB to sixth place in the mixed 4x400m relay, as well as fifth in the women's 4x400m, as well as suffering a disqualification in the heats of the individual 400m.

She is also set to compete in the women's 4x400m at the 2024 edition, the heats for which take place on Friday, with the final taking place on Saturday.