Olympic Games: Rhasidat Adeleke shines as Irish book relay in Paris

Ireland has qualified for the 4x400m mixed and 4x400m women’s relays at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Sharlene Mawdsley anchored both teams to national records as they won their respective heats at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.

Rhasidat Adeleke completed two astonishing sub-50-second stages to put the Irish ahead halfway through both races.

What made both women’s performances even more impressive is that they were less than two hours apart.

The mixed team of Cillin Greene, Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Mawdsley stormed to victory in their heat.

They confidently defeated the challenge of Belgium, who secured the second Olympic Games qualifying spot ahead of Great Britain.

The time of 3:12.50 lowered the Irish record by 0.38 seconds from the time of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic final.

Adeleke and Mawdsley were then joined by Sophie Becker and Phil Healy as they found themselves in a two-horse race with Great Britain in the heats of the women’s 4x400m.

When Mawdsley came under pressure from Lina Nielsen in the home leg, she didn’t hesitate and broke the tie with another Irish record of 3:24.38, breaking the mark of 3:26.06 from the European Championships in Munich two reduced years ago.

“I actually felt a little sleepy after getting up so early this morning,” Adeleke said.

“Knowing that we can all qualify for the Olympics gives you enough energy to go out and do your best.”

Mawdsley added: “We couldn’t have asked for much more. Two wins, two national records… what a dreamy evening.”

The mixed relay heat was expected to be a battle between Belgium, Great Britain and Ireland for the first two places.

Greene ran a solid 46.99, but it was a brilliant 49.64 from Adeleke that led to the Irish taking the lead halfway through the stage.

Barr was challenged by Belgium and Switzerland in the home leg, but his 45.11 allowed him to hand the baton of the lead to Mawdsley.

With all her experience, Mawdsley extended her lead and ran an impressive 50.13, comfortably winning the heat and claiming not only the Olympic place but also a place in Sunday’s World Relay final as the third fastest qualifier behind the USA and Netherlands .

“We knew in our hearts that we had everything we needed to qualify and get through this race and win, but sometimes it’s about the execution.

“I feel like we did exactly what we needed to do to get the job done,” Barr said.

“That’s our first race as a unit this year. Looking ahead, it looks like we’re only going to get faster. It’s really promising to have the team together and doing so well so early in the season.”

Ireland was expected to challenge for qualifying places in Paris in the women’s 4x400m.

Becker had given them a good start as she ran 52.62 before passing the baton to Adeleke in second place.

The 21-year-old’s potential may know no bounds as she overtook Great Britain and ran incredibly faster than she did in the mixed relay with a time of 49.48.

At this stage the two countries were well clear of the rest of the field and it was pride that drove the Irish quartet.

Healy, returning to her best form, was still leading after the third stage with a time of 51.30, but Mawdsley had Nielsen breathing down her neck.

However, the Irish runner was not to be denied as she showed immense strength in the closing stages to hold on for the win. She ran 51.30, making the quartet the fastest qualifier for Sunday’s final.

It was a job for both teams and they can now look ahead to the Olympic Games in Paris, but before that they have medal races on Sunday.