By Edaein OConnell
24th Jul 2019
24th Jul 2019
More sporting success for Ireland has come in the form of Rhasidat Adeleke at the European Youth Olympic Festival where she won gold in the 100-metre sprint
In what has been a marvellous week for Irish sport, we were treated to even more victory on Tuesday night.
Rhasidat Adeleke, a 16-year-old from Dublin, won gold for Ireland in the girls 100-metre sprint at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Baku. The Dubliner stormed home as a clear winner in an impressive time of 11.7 seconds. Leading the race from the start, the sprinter raised her hand in delight as she crossed the finish line.
‘I’m so happy’
Speaking to Independent.ie after the race she said, “I just felt like I got a decent enough start. I tried to execute my race doing what my coach told me to – just drive, drive, drive. And hopefully, by 60-metres, I would try to pull away, and I think that’s what I did.
“This is what I’ve been praying for all season, and to get the gold – I’m so happy. I’m ecstatic,” she said.
GOLD for Rhasidat Adeleke in the Girl’s 100m Final at the EYOF in Baku #TeamIreland #EYOF2019 pic.twitter.com/xGQyrWUzwi
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 23, 2019
And this is not Rhasidat’s first taste of success. In 2017, she won a silver medal in both the 200-metre and the 100-metre relay at the same games. She was also part of the Ireland 4×100-metre relay team who won silver at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.
What’s more, Rhasidat also won a silver medal at the European Athletics U18 Championships last year in the 200-metre sprint.
She will compete in the 200-metre girls’ final tomorrow.
More Irish success
Rhasidat isn’t the only one doing well at the Youth Olympics this year. Swimmer Molly Mayne qualified for the final of the girls’ 200-metre breaststroke which takes place on Wednesday; while Mark McGarry, Adam Gilsenan and Darren Rafferty will compete in the cycling Road Races on Thursday.
The European Youth Olympic Festival is for athletes aged 14 to 18 and runs every two years.
Photo: Team Ireland
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