Rhasidat Adeleke dedicates victory at European Athletics Championship to her mother
Rising athletics star Rhasidat Adeleke won her first individual senior European medal with a stunning showing in the 400m final in Rome on Monday.
Adeleke - who finished fifth in the equivalent race on her previous effort in 2022 - looked like taking the win before she was edged out late by Poland's Natalia Kaczmarek.
Still, a silver medal at the age of just 21 is a remarkable feat for the Tallaght athlete and she added it to her gold success from the mixed relay last week.
She clocked a time of 49.07 - a personal best and a new Irish record en route to fending off established Dutch rival Lieke Klaver in third.
Adeleke shared her admiration for her mother following her silver medal win, stressing the efforts she went to for her to race through the ranks as she grew up.
“My Mam comes to every single meet ever since I was growing up in athletics she put me first all the time," Adeleke reflected.
"She would switch out shifts at work and she would always take annual leave to come watch my meets, take me everywhere, and pay for everything.
"To be able to be here doing what I love. I just feel so grateful for her because I would not be here without her."
Adeleke added that she was initially disappointed, but taking the result and her national record into context was ultimately pleased with her result.
'Honestly, when I crossed the line and realised I came second I was devastated, I wanted it," she said.
"But as my coach said, we have been training through this competition so to even come out of here with a PB (is incredible).
"I am excited because this is my first 400m competition of the year."
