The Irish women’s 4x400m relay team delivered an impressive performance at the Stade de France, securing a place in the Olympic final. The team, consisting of Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory, and Sharlene Mawdsley, finished third in their semi-final heat with a time of 3:25.05.
Despite the absence of star sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke, who is focusing on the individual 400m final, the quartet rose to the challenge. Becker’s blazing 50.90-second opening leg put Ireland in the lead, followed by a strong 51.90-second split from Healy. McGrory maintained a competitive position with a 52.60-second leg, and Mawdsley’s powerful anchor leg of 49.65 seconds secured third place, just behind Jamaica and the Netherlands. Adeleke is expected to join the team for the final.
According to Irish independent, In the men’s 800m semi-finals, Mark English put up a valiant effort but fell short of qualifying for the final. Leading with 200m to go, English was overtaken in the final stretch, finishing sixth with a time of 1:45.97. Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati won the race in 1:45.08.