In this instalment of our Women in Sport series, we chat to Sharlene Mawdsley on everything from her earliest sporting memories to her greatest goals and proudest achievements.
After an epic showing at the Olympics in Paris last month, Tipperary native Sharlene Mawdsley needs little introduction. An inspiration to young Irish athletes all across the country, the 400m sprinter smashed the national record in the women’s 4x400m relay with Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Phil Healy, placing fourth on her 26th birthday and producing her fastest-ever relay split of 49.14 seconds.
A sociology graduate from the University of Limerick, the Tipperary native shares more about her sporting journey thus far below.
Name: Sharlene Mawdsley
Profession: Athlete
Earliest sporting memory?
Coming second in the community games in Mosney when I was U-10. I couldn’t believe that I won a medal. It was a grass track and I ran in my bare feet. Just before my final, Sonia O’Sullivan did a lap around the course where all of the athletes followed, but I stayed waiting for my race to start and tried not to waste my energy.
How did you become involved in your sport?
I became involved because I wanted to do a sport but was never really any good at team sports. I always had a competitive streak in me – when I played soccer I hated that I didn’t have the ball, even when my team was winning – so I started running, which was pretty much an individual sport, and loved it so much.
What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?
Enjoy the process and don’t get caught up in the results. I was never particularly good growing up. When I won my first medal at the community games, I didn’t win another for years after. I never looked at being an athlete as a career when I was younger; but because I loved it, I stuck with it and it brought me some of the best moments of my life.
Proudest moment so far…
Being a world finalist multiple times!
The female athlete I admire most is…
For me, this is a difficult question as there are so many women I admire in the sport. Seeing people who bounce back from a defeat or an injury inspires me so much. Also, women who become mothers and come back to sport. Because sport isn’t easy, but it shows me the love people have for it, and I think that is so special.
Favourite sporting memory…
The world championships in Budapest in 2023. It was the most amazing championship for me, which made me pursue my career in track and become a professional athlete.
Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?
I think it’s definitely becoming better now that people are speaking about it more, but of course, I don’t believe across all sports there is a 50/50 male-to-female balance.
What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?
I think maybe how the media portray it. There are so many platforms promoting women in sport, but should this have to happen? It should be equal, but instead, people are having to promote it to try and get an even playing field.
If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…
Living in Australia.
My favourite pre-competition meal is…
Peanut butter and banana with honey on sourdough toast.
My pre-competition playlist includes…
A lot of Eminem, Tyga, Dr. Dre.
My daily routine is…
Eat, train, eat, nap, eat.
My biggest sporting goal is…
To become an Olympian.
Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…
Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…
A nice meal out.
How do you mind your mental health?
By working with my sport psychologist and talking to my support team if I’m struggling.
My three desert island beauty products are:
Dermalogica Stabilising Repair Cream.
I need 8 hours of sleep a night because…
I can’t function without it!
Confidence, to me, is…
Being comfortable in your surroundings and trusting yourself.
How do you get over a bad performance?
Feel sad for the rest of the day and forget about it the next morning.
Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?
I think sport brings a huge sense of purpose and for me, it supports me with likeminded people. Being able to connect with people through sport is such an amazing thing.
This article was originally published in April 2024. We may earn a commission if you shop through an affiliate link on our site.
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