Adeleke reverts to her 'first love' ahead of Europeans
Irish athlete Rhasidat Adeleke has qualified for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after a successful 200m race. Following a period of injury and pressure, she is focusing on enjoying her sport and returning to her original preferred distance.
Why it matters
Adeleke's return to form is a significant development in European athletics, highlighting the mental and physical challenges faced by elite sports professionals.
Santry Stadium bore witness last weekend to a smiling Rhasidat Adeleke, this after she secured her ticket to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham with an impressive win in the 200m.
Perhaps it's a stretch to say that a weight was fully lifted from the shoulders of the Tallaght athlete, but it was good to see her smile after a series of hamstring injuries had disrupted her progress.
Since coming close to medalling in the 400m and the women's relay at the Paris Olympics, Adeleke endured a frustrating 2025, where she was an absentee at the World Championships in Tokyo.
But her demeanour at those National Championships was that of a competitor reborn . She told RTÉ Sport: "I'm just taking everything a day at a time and trying to relax and enjoy my experience".
This, after admitting that the weight of expectation was getting too much.
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