Just 12 months ago, Charlotte Henrich was celebrating European Under-20 gold in Finland. Fast forward a year, and Henrich is no longer a promising young talent; she is making her mark on the biggest tracks in athletics.

Since winning bronze with Great Britain in her first senior appearance at the World Athletics Relays in May, the 20-year-old has added numerous accolades in her debut season:

• Welsh record holder
• European Championship silver medallist
• Ultimate Championship silver medallist
• Commonwealth Games finalist

Now, Henrich has her sights set on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. "I really want to go," she told BBC Sport. "Even at Paris 2024, I never watched that event thinking that I could be there. Now it feels like a real possibility."

Born in France and raised in Kent, Henrich qualifies to represent Wales through her family from Carmarthen. This heritage allowed her to compete for Wales at the Commonwealth Games, where she finished fourth this summer, narrowly missing out on a medal.

Family support has been pivotal in her success. Henrich has grappled with self-doubt throughout her career, admitting, "In school I was very behind and felt like everyone was a lot better than me."

Reflecting on her past, she acknowledged the pressure of her junior achievements, saying, "When you do well in your junior career, it can have a bit of a negative effect on your performance because you are so desperate to keep proving."

Despite her achievements, she still feels moments of unease, stating, "It feels a bit abnormal and a bit weird. It’s like, is that me?" A conversation with fellow athlete Amy Hunt reminded her that she belongs on this journey, helping her overcome feelings of being merely a spectator.