Taoiseach Simon Harris has urged “class” Rhasidat Adeleke to not let “online cowards” affect her, after her coach detailed the abuse the three-time European medallist has received in recent months.
Adeleke won mixed 4x400m relay gold, women’s 4x400m relay silver and individual 400m silver in a terrific week in Rome at the European Championships.
However her American coach Edrick Floreal spoke to Q102′s Weekend Sports Breakfast about comments made online in the wake of last month’s World Athletics Relays, where she had helped Ireland to Olympic qualification.
.@rhasidatadeleke is not only a world-class champion, she is a world-class person. You have inspired a nation this week, especially young girls & boys. You are class, so please do not let online cowards bring you down. You are Ireland and Ireland could not be more proud of you 💚
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 15, 2024
She will head to the Paris Games as one of Ireland’s brightest medal hopes, and yet the immensely talented Tallaght 21-year-old has had to endure some toxic comments made on social media.
The Taoiseach – who welcomed some of Adeleke’s relay team-mates into his office on Friday – reminded the sprinting superstar, in a post on X, that she is an inspiration.
“Rhasidat Adeleke is not only a world-class champion, she is a world-class person. You have inspired a nation this week, especially young girls & boys. You are class, so please do not let online cowards bring you down. You are Ireland and Ireland could not be more proud of you.”
