THE IRELAND WOMEN’S team finished fourth in the 4x400m relay final at the Paris Olympics tonight, missing out on a medal by just 0.18 seconds.
The team of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley ran a superb race to finish with a time of 3:19.90, setting a new national record in what was the final event of the track programme at the Stade de France.
The United States powered to gold in 3:15.27, with the Netherlands taking silver at 3:19.50 and Great Britain taking bronze with 3:19.72.
Paris 2024: Sharlene Mawdsley runs the final leg as the Ireland women's 4x400 relay team fall agonisingly short of the medal places
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 10, 2024
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Sophie Becker was out first for Ireland, covering the opening 400m in 50.90 seconds.
Rhasidat Adeleke took the baton for the second leg and moved Ireland into the silver medal position with a brilliant 48.92.
Phil Healy then fought hard to hold onto second place with a 50.94, setting up Sharlene Mawdsley up for a huge final leg.
Mawdsley had Femke Bol of the Netherlands and Great Britain’s Anning Amber chasing her down, and while she ran another excellent leg with 49.14, Ireland finished just outside the medal positions despite a heroic effort.
“We’re sad, we couldn’t have done anymore, I don’t know what to say. It’s bittersweet” Becker told RTÉ’s David Gillick.
Paris 2024: "This team belongs in major finals."
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 10, 2024
Tears and pride from Ireland's women's 4x400 relay team after a performance to remember in the Olympic final
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“For us to even be out here in an Olympic final and to come fourth, we’re breaking so many barriers, we’re doing so well,” added Adeleke.
“It’s only onwards and upwards from here. We believed in each other, we trusted in each other and we put our best forward on the track today and that’s all I can ask. I’m so proud of them and so excited about what the future holds for us as a team.”
“There’s world-class athletes out there today and we held our own, to come fourth in an Olympic Games is just madness but it’s what this team is capable of,” said Healy.
“If you had told me only a couple of days ago that we would come fourth I’d would have been elated, but when you’re out on that last leg it does kind of feel like it’s your fault,” said an emotional Mawdsley.
“I know I ran the best I could and when Amber Anning came up on me I’m aware Femke is behind me, and it’s a hard leg, but I’m pretty devastated. I just wish I could have done it for the girls and especially Rhasidat yesterday (in the 400m final). It’s just heartbreaking, but we still broke a national record and that was my aim in the meeting today, so I can’t ask for much more I guess.
“Even when I got the baton I knew we were in such a good position and I did my best to see what we could do, and the girls put me in such a good position, and I am obviously devastated that I couldn’t hold on and get us that medal but you never know in the future. The future of Irish sprinting is so bright.”
“It’s unbelievable,” added Healy. “Before this year our national record was 3:26, we walked away with 3:19. This team belongs in major finals and Olympic Games. Fourth in an Olympic Games, it’s just unbelievable.
“We’re so grateful for the support and we know what this team can do. It’s a very, very special time. Rhasidat walked away as our first ever female sprint finalist and now we’ve come away with fourth in the Olympic Games as well. It’s just unbelievable and a special thanks to all the supporters here and everybody back home, because we really, really feel the support.”
