There was a memorable result for Ireland in the 1500m at the European U23 Championships today in Finland as Sophie O'Sullivan and Sarah Healy finished first and second in a thrilling race.
Healy set the tempo for most of the race, but O'Sullivan unleashed a kick over the past 150 metres that will have reminded all Irish athletics fans of her mother Sonia, as she blasted past her compatriot and into the lead. Healy dug deep and stayed within touching distance. In the end, Ireland won gold and silver in the race, with O'Sullivan finishing with a PB of 4.07.18
That sprint finish! 🔥
Sophie O’Sullivan 🇮🇪 leads an Irish 1-2 in the 1500m and wins Ireland’s first gold medal in European U23 Championships! 🥇
And a lifetime best of 4:07.18 as well! 💫#Espoo2023 pic.twitter.com/dHqU6Q2UJ8— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 16, 2023
O'Sullivan also revealed the advice her legendary mother gave her before the race: "stay as close as you can as long as you can."
What advice did @soniaagrith give to Sophie O’Sullivan before the 1500m final in #Espoo2023? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BCkBBbODb3
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 16, 2023
It's another big milestone in 2023 for the University of Washington student, who ran some blistering times for the college this spring
Sophie O'Sullivan caps a huge day for Irish athletics
The result rounds out a massive day for Irish athletics. Over in Poland, Andrew Coscoran finished 4th in a stacked field in the 1500m in the Silesia Diamond League, breaking the national record in the process. The Balbriggan man ran 3.30.42, which is absolutely sensational with the World Championships just weeks away.
Meanwhile over in Silesia 🇵🇱 a big new @EuroAthletics 1500m for Jakob Ingebrigtsen and a huge new @irishathletics 1500m record for @AndrewCoscoran #DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/c7n2oW8G8O
— Pierce O'Callaghan (@Pierceathletics) July 16, 2023
Meanwhile, Tallaght phenom Rhasidat Adeleke revealed she is turning professional. Adeleke has one more year of eligibility left at the University of Texas but she's foregoing to enter the big time world of elite racing. The reigning NCAA 400m champion will be making her pro debut this Friday in a Diamond Series event in Monaco against some of the fastest women in the world.
She confirmed the news in a statement on instagram, saying:
"I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to represent the University of Texas these past three years. I couldn't have made a better decision!" she wrote.
"I'd like to thank absolutely everyone who supported me along the way and those that helped me become who I am today. However, I'd like to announce that I am forgoing the remainder of my eligibility and becoming a professional athlete."
