IRELAND’S RHASIDAT ADELEKE has missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in the Women’s 400m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The 21-year-old Dubliner clocked a time of 49.28 after another brilliant run at the Stade de France.
Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino won gold in an Olympic record time of 48.17, while Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain and Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek finished second and third respectively.
Adeleke wrote her name into history as the first Irishwoman to compete in a sprint final at the Olympics.
Running from Lane 4, she made a bright start on a wet track as a strong Irish contingent cheered her on.
The Tallaght star moved into medal contention, but was ultimately surpassed by Kaczmarek on the home straight and fell short of her personal best of 49.07. It was another fourth-place finish following last August’s World Championships.
Fourth for Rhasidat in a time of 49.28. She was pipped to the bronze medal by Poland’s Natalia Kazcmarek. Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic won gold and set a new Olympic record with a time of 48.17, ahead of by Bahraini sprinter Salwa Eid Naser. #RTEsport #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/37rE5ay4IN
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 9, 2024
“I don’t know,” a disappointed Adeleke told RTÉ’s David Gillick as she tried to find the words afterwards.
“Honestly, happy to be healthy. I gave it my all out there and tonight wasn’t meant to be. I just hope there is so much more to come in the future.
“I was just trying to stay in contention. I wasn’t fazed too much as to where I was in the race. I just wanted to make sure I executed my own race and didn’t follow anyone else. It is what it is, I just have to move forward with it.”
“Absolutely, it was [tough],” she added. “I don’t think it was anything beyond what I could do. I just feel like it wasn’t meant to be today, and that’s okay. I’ll move on, I’m so grateful for everyone’s support along the way.
“With all the Irish fans in the stadium, it felt like home. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to give them a medal but hopefully in the future.”
Adeleke is expected to round out her first Olympic Games in the 4x400m women’s relay final tomorrow night.
Limerick again
Pretty rough on Offaly winning the McDonagh and as consequence facing the tougher opponents. Hard to fancy anyone other than Limerick. I said it to myself the minute after they won the All-Ireland last season. All them injured men returning this time only makes them stronger!
Laois will give Wexford a rattle. Big mental defeat for Clare today. Joe McDonagh competition is strong which shouldn’t be changed. The 2nd tier football competition could learn from it and only have 12 teams playing for Sam Maguire, relegate the rest.
@Alan: Doubt it. Expect Wexford to beat them well. The Joe Mcdonagh is dreadful standard. It’s competitive but that’s not the same as strong. You have Munster and Killkenny. Forget about the rest. They are miles off.
@Ray Ridge: give over you know it all!! Arrogance pouring out of your veins
@Dan Delaney: He’s not wrong, name another team outside of munster or Kilkenny with any hope of winning. I’d be absolutely gobsmacked if it isn’t cork, clare, limerick or kilkenny.
2 good semis to look forward too. Top 4 in country. Limerick v Clare and Killkenny v Clare.
@Ray Ridge: Limerick v Cork and Killkenny v Clare.
I think Wexford can snare Clare assuming they beat Laois. Cork vs limerick should be good too assuming cork beat offaly.
I think most hurling fans would have predicted a Kilkenny vs Limerick final at the start of the year and it is still looking likely at this stage of the season.
I think if that happens Kilkenny will put limerick to the pin of their collar but limerick will prevail.
I do agree Clare will struggle from today, expect Wexford to win that. Kilkenny got no match yesterday and that’s not what they wanted.
Cork could be dangerous but experience on the big occasion will cost them.
It’s Corks year, Kiely and the old boys are going back to the hurling wilderness as the JP era is coming to a close.
Unreal team since 2018 and without doubt the best team so far this century.
Limerick have been an unbelievable team since 2018 but their fans can focus on booking their summer holidays from July 7th and all summers going forward.
Twas great to have Limerick enjoy a run of success as it freshened the hurling up.
Hopefully Offaly can carry on the baton from Limerick and put it up to the traditional counties.