Sophie Becker stared as the Irish women’s 4×400 relay team won their heat and qualified for Paris 2024!
Becker led the Irish team out in a race they won in 3:34.28 for a new national 4x400m women’s relay record. The victory secures a place at the Olympic Games and passage to the World Relay’s final.
Becker was strong and powerful in the first leg, moving Ireland into second place with Great Britain at the hand over. Becker fast out of the blocks and powerfully impressive after 150 metres.
Becker handed over to Rhasidat Adeleke who had helped the 4x400m mixed relay team to the Olympic Games just 90 minutes earlier. Becker’s split was clocked at 52.62 seconds.
Adeleke showed no signs of a second 400m race in 90 minutes moving Ireland into the lead, handing over to Phil Healy in 49.48 seconds leg.
Healy certainly did the business in her leg, Ireland and GB moving some 40 metres clear of the field before handing over to Sharlene Mawdsley.
Mawdsley like Adeleke also ran in the earlier mixed relay and fought out a great battle with GB to take victory. Mawdsley clocking 50.98 seconds. Ireland clocking 3:24.38!
Another late night awaits as this Irish team go in the final on Sunday night.
🗣️ “We couldn’t have asked for more…what a dreamy night. I can’t put into words how much this means to us all.”
Reaction from our Women’s 4x400m relay team after their sensational performance saw them seal their place at the Olympics 🎤#IrishAthletics #WorldRelays pic.twitter.com/mUY2iPk0QS
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) May 5, 2024
