THE Ireland mixed and women’s 4x400m relay teams qualified for the 2024 Olympics – with Sharlene Mawdsley and Rhasidat Adeleke shining.
Both teams broke national records in their heats at the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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First up was the mixed relay team of Cillin Greene, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr, and Sharlene Mawdsley, who ran a 3:12.50 to win their heat.
Barr, who will be competing at his third Games this summer, told Athletics Ireland that they knew they had what it took to qualify.
He said: “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.”
“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.”
Just 90 minutes later, Adeleke and Mawdsley were back on the track for the women’s relay event which, once again, ended in qualification.
The team consisted of the Tallaght and Tipperary runners, as well as Phil Healy and Sophie Becker.
The only change to the team that came fifth at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow was Adeleke, who filled in for Roisin Harrison.
Mawdsley split under 51 seconds for the second time in the evening, while Adeleke was once again under 50 seconds.
Stellar performances also from Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Healy (Bandon AC) allowed Ireland to storm to the win with a record time of 3:24.38.
Adeleke commented: “If anything I was feeling a little bit sleepy after being up so early this morning.
“Knowing that we could all qualify for the Olympics gives you enough energy to go out there and do your best.”
Mawdsley added: “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.”
Both teams will compete in the finals in the early hours of Monday morning Irish time.
