Sligo man helps Ireland win historic gold medal
Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley and Tom Barr celebrate winning a gold medal at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Ireland’s mixed 4x400m relay team of Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley won a historic gold medal for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome on Friday night. The Irish team came home in national record time of 3:09.92, a performance that also set a new championship record on one of the great nights for Irish athletics.
It was Sligo man Chris O'Donnell who led things off and was fourth in 46.09 when handing over to Adeleke, who clocked a 49.53 second split, before handing over to Barr in first place.
The Waterford man ran an outstanding leg of 44.90 to remain in second before handing over the baton to Mawdsley (49.40) who bided her time before hitting the front coming down the last 100m in front of a huge Irish support in the stadium.
Barr, Adeleke, O'Donnell and Mawdsley join Sonia O'Sullivan as the only gold medallists for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.
Ireland finished ahead of Italy (3:10.69) with the Netherlands third in 3:10.69.
