Double Irish 4x400m Team Qualification for Paris Olympics
Irish Mixed and Women's 4 x 400m Relay Teams Qualify for Paris Olympics
World Relay Championships - Nassau, Bahamas
Saturday May 4th 2024
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Both Irish teams ran National Records, to win their respective Heats. All-in-all, it was a wonderous night for Ireland. First off was the Mixed 4x400 team, with Cillian Greene, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Charlene Becker. Greene ran strongly to hand over to Adeleke, who proved an absolute powerhouse, bringing Ireland into a commanding lead on the second leg, with Barr taking over. Barr came under pressure coming off the final bend, but experience told, and he held his place, handing over to Charlene Mawdsley, who was not to be seriously challenged and, in the final metres, extended her lead, and looked almost like she was starting off
Just Ninety minutes later, Mawdsley and Adeleke were back on track with the Irish Womens 4x400m Team. Sophie Becker ran the first leg, followed by Rhasidat Adeleke, with Phil Healy, Bandon AC, on the third leg, with Charlene Mawdsley running the anchor leg. Becker handed over to Adeleke in 2nd place, Adeleke, built a huge lead, to hand over to Phil Healy, who held the lead. On teh final leg, Mawdsley came under pressure from GB's Nielsen, but finished strongly, for the win. Fabulous performances, but especially so from Mawdsley and Adeleke, running two World Class 400m legs in the space of 90 mins. Adeleke ran the fastest leg of all, being the only female runner to go sub 50 sec on the day, with 49.48!
Watch Full Day 1 Action on EurovisionSport
Note: You will need to register to view this - Well worth it to see absolutely fabulous Irish individual and team performances!
Irish Mixed Relay Team: 0:27:00 to 0:37:30
Irish Womens Relay Team: 2:15:12 to 2:24:05
Irish Womens 4x400m Team's Reaction
Irish Mixed 4 x 400m Team Interview
Athletics Ireland Report
TWO IRISH TEAMS SEAL OLYMPIC SPOTS ON MAGICAL NIGHT IN NASSAU
The Irish Mixed and Women’s 4x400m relay teams sealed their spots at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in scintillating fashion on Day One of the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, the Bahamas
Both teams ran superb national records to win their heats and illustrated once again Ireland’s strength on the global relay stage
First up it was the turn of the Mixed 4x400m team which comprised of Cillin Greene (Galway City Harriers), Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC), Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC) and Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) who clocked a time of 3:12.50 to win their heat
Speaking to Athletics Ireland afterwards Thomas Barr and Cillin Greene couldn’t contain their delight
“We knew in our heart of hearts that we had everything we had we needed to qualify and to get through and win this race but sometimes it’s about executing it. I feel like we did that exactly what we needed to do to get the job done,” Barr said
“That’s our first race as a unit this year. Looking forward it looks like we’re only going to get faster, it’s really promising to have the team together and doing so well this early in the season.”
Adeleke and Mawdsley would make a remarkable comeback ninety minutes later to help the Women’s team to victory in 3:24.38 taking over one and a half seconds off the previous record
Mawdsley split under 51 seconds for the second time in the evening, while Adeleke was once again under 50 seconds
Stellar performances also from Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Phil Healy (Bandon AC) allowed Ireland to storm to the win
Speaking afterwards Adeleke and Mawdsley gave their reaction:
“If anything I was feeling a little bit sleepy after being up so early this morning,” Adeleke said. “Knowing that we could all qualify for the Olympics gives you enough energy to go out there and do your best.”
“We couldn’t have asked for much more. Two wins, two national records…what a dreamy night. I can’t put into words how much this means to us all. We ticked off all the checklist for today,” Mawdsley added
Both teams will now prepare for finals tomorrow
World Athletics Relays, Irish schedule - Day Two (Sunday May 5th ...Really Monday May 6th in Ireland)
Mixed 4x400m Relay final – 02:40am
Women’s 4x400m Relay final – 03:10am
Watch the 4 x 400m Finals
Also covered on BBC1, but on Red Button, so probably not available to most
