It was a night to remember in the Bahamas for Irish athletics as Ireland qualified two teams for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Inspired by two phenomenal runs by Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley, Ireland's women's 4x400 and mixed 4x400 teams are a guaranteed a place in Paris.
Ireland's womens 4x400team of Sophie Becker, Adeleke, Phil Healy and Mawdsley ran the fastest time of any team running last night, winning their heat with a time of 3.24.38.
Meanwhile, in the mixed relay race, Adeleke and Mawdsley were joined by Tom Barr and Cillín Greene, and Ireland ran the second fastest time of the evening to win heat 3 in a time of 3.12.50
It finished with two wins and two national records for Ireland and two relay teams qualified for Paris.
Adeleke shines on big night for Irish athletics
While there were many great runs for Ireland, Adeleke's two splits were absolutely blistering: 49.64 and 49.48.
It started with an incredible split in the mixed race.
Look at this by @rhasidatadeleke pic.twitter.com/Z3lEd76UXY
— Ian O'Riordan (@ianoriordan) May 4, 2024
She was back on the track an hour and a half later along with Sharlene Mawdsley in the women's 4x400.
Second 400m of the night for @rhasidatadeleke, still only breathing pic.twitter.com/y9tJbt28x7
— Ian O'Riordan (@ianoriordan) May 5, 2024
Here's Adeleke speaking to Athletic Ireland after the run:
Honestly, I was just trying to make sure I had my energy up. If anything I was just feeling a little sleepy after being up so early this morning. But honestly, just knowing that we could all qualify for the Olympics, that gives you enough energy to go out there and do your best.
Perhaps it was Mawdsley who summed it up best:
At the start of the season, knowing that we've already qualified for Paris is something special. We did it in 2021 and now we did it in 2024 so, from paradise to Paris, baby.
🗣️ “We couldn’t have asked for more…what a dreamy night. I can’t put into words how much this means to us all.”
Reaction from our Women’s 4x400m relay team after their sensational performance saw them seal their place at the Olympics 🎤#IrishAthletics #WorldRelays pic.twitter.com/mUY2iPk0QS— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) May 5, 2024
These runs really whet the appetite for what is to come in Paris in August. Ireland will be dreaming of a sprint medal, and possibly two or three when all is said and done.
