Ireland’s brightest hope of a medal is out of next month’s World Athletics Championships in Japan.
Rhasidat Adeleke made the announcement on Monday night on Instagram account, revealing that she is “unable to finish this season” after suffering “yet another recent roadblock”.
The news does not come as a great surprise as the 22-year-old has struggled to show her best form in any of her outings this season.
She had qualified for both the individual 200m and 400m and would no doubt have been expected to play her part in both the mixed and women’s 4x400m teams in Tokyo.
Last year, the Tallaght athlete was second in the individual 400m at the European Championships, setting an Irish record of 49.07 seconds, and also part of Ireland’s victorious mixed 4x400m quartet.
Ireland’s 4x400m mixed relay team celebrate their gold medal run at the 2024 European Championships From left, Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley and Thomas Barr Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile (Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE/SPORTSFILE)
She carried that form into the Paris Olympics where she was fourth in both the individual 400m as well as the women’s 4x400m.
Much was expected of her this year but she has failed to break 50 seconds in all three of her 400m Diamond League appearances citing “lingering injuries”.
Suspicions regarding her form were raised in July when she was a late withdrawal from the 400m at the Monaco Diamond League, where she won 12 months earlier in 49.17 seconds, opting to focus on recovery following “recent race exertions”.
She was also an absentee from the National Track & Field Championships at the start of this month.
In her Instagram post, she admitted that this season has tested her “in more ways than I ever anticipated.”
“Lingering injuries and continuous setbacks made it increasingly difficult to train and perform at the level I expect from myself,” she said.
“Following yet another recent roadblock, I’m saddened to share that I’m unable to finish out this season.”
She went on to say that she would take 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,”
Adeleke’s withdrawal is a body blow to Irish hopes of a medal in Japan, not only in her individual event but she was also a key component in both relays.
It is not clear if she will return to her training base in Texas where she is coached by Edrick Floreal.
Britain’s former world 200m champion Dina Asher Smith recently left the group to train back in her native London.
AloJapan.com