The mixed 4x400m relay team of Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr & Sharlene Mawdsley have won a gold medal for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships.
In the end the Irish team came home in time of 3:09.92, a championship record for what was a fabulous success.
North Sligo athlete O’Donnell led things off and was fourth in 46.09 when handing over to Adeleke, who clocked a 49.53 second split, before handing to Barr in first.
The Waterford man posted a 44.90 and in second place when passing the baton to Mawdsley (49.40) who bided her time before hitting the front coming down the last 100m.
Ireland finished ahead of Italy (3:10.69) with the Netherlands third in 3:10.69.
Naturally, the Irish team were in jubilant mood when they spoke to RTÉ Sport after their success.
“Unbelievable, everything we’ve dreamed off, said O’Donnell, who wasn’t showing any pre-race nerves.
“When I started going into the blocks, I really felt I was doing it for the whole country; I wasn’t nervous, I was really excited because I’ve seen these guys next to me and the support we have in the stadium. It’s an unbelievable, we just can’t get over it.”
