The mixed 4x400m relay team of Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley have won a historic gold medal for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome this evening (June 7th).
The Irish team came home in national record time of 3:09.92, a performance that also set a new championship record on one of the great nights for Irish athletics.
That it should happen in the stadium where Ireland played a Football World Cup Quarter Final 34 years ago draws a line linking it to some of Ireland’s most iconic sporting memories.
North Sligo athlete O’Donnell led things off and was fourth in 46.09 when handing over to Adeleke, who clocked a 49.53 second split, before handing over to Barr in first place.
The Waterford man ran an outstanding leg of 44.90 to remain in second before handing over the baton to Mawdsley (49.40) who bided her time before hitting the front coming down the last 100m in front of a huge Irish support in the stadium.
Barr, Adeleke, O’Donnell and Mawdsley join Sonia O’Sullivan as the only gold medallists for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.
Ireland finished ahead of Italy (3:10.69) with the Netherlands third in 3:10.69.
Earlier in the day, Israel Olatunde booked his place in tomorrow’s 100 semi-final with a season’s best time of 10.31. Olatunde, who qualified as 8th fastest overall, will return to the blocks from 8.10pm tomorrow evening as he bids to make back-to-back European Championship finals.
Eric Favors posted a best of 19.60m in the men’s shot put which was just two places off making it through to tomorrow’s final. Favors has recently returned from injury and will be fully focused on using today as a springboard for the remainer of the outdoor season.
Jodie McCann rounded out Irish involvement on day 2 with a 15:29.25PB over 5000m for 17th place on her senior championship debut. Local favourite Nadia Battocletti claimed the gold in 14:35.29.
This was a very special moment.
Sport for Business in partnership with Allianz will hold the 2024 Sport for Business Sport for Social Good Conference on Thursday, October 24th, one of ten events currently in planning for the remainder of 2024.
Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.
Athletics Ireland are full members of the Sport for Business Community.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations including all the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies.
Find out more about joining us today.
Check out our upcoming events to discover ways of connecting in person with our membership.
