This clears things up.
Ireland’s foremost track star, Rhasidat Adeleke, recently pulled out of the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The Tallaght woman has finished fourth in the 400m at both the 2023 World Championships and 2024 Olympic Games.
Her form so far this season has been patchy, and she announced on Instagram that she would not be running in either the 400m x 4 relay or the 400m at September’s big meet.
She said:
This season has tested me in more ways than I ever anticipated. Lingering injuries & continuous setbacks made it increasingly difficult to train & perform at the level I expect from myself.
Following yet another recent roadblock, I’m saddened to share that I’m unable to finish out this season.
I’ll take this time to heal, recover and do what’s necessary so I can show up next season as my best self, mind and body.
I’m so grateful to everyone that shows me unwavering support. It means the world❤️
Much love – R
Following this, Irish track legend, Sonia O’Sullivan, questioned Adeleke in her Irish Times column over her reasons for puling out.
She wrote: “My first concern for Rhasidat Adeleke right now is that she’s not being entirely open or honest. Not just with herself, but with some of the people around her…
“Maybe another option for Tokyo would have been to just focus on the relay when she realised her individual 400m aspirations weren’t working out.
“If she had the right mindset. That makes you realise, too, the relay will never be a high priority for her.
“But I think she could have considered that, taken a lot of the pressure off that way. Again, maybe people are telling her she’s better than the relay.”
Edrick Floreal, who has been the 22-year-old’s coach since metting up at the University of Texas 2021, has responded.
He said: “She is honestly injured and cannot compete at a world class level.”
