Ireland has a new Olympic champion.
It’s already been a big week for the Irish with Shane Lowry’s win at The Open, but while the golfer had his homecoming in Offaly this evening, there was added cause for sports fans to celebrate as Rhasidat Adeleke claimed gold at the European Youth Olympic Festival.
The 16-year-old sprinter led the field from early on and finished strongly to cross the line in 11.7 seconds. “I’m ecstatic, I’m so happy,” she said, speaking to Team Ireland after her victory.
“I finally did it you know. This is what I have been praying for all season. And to get the gold, I’m so happy.”
“I’m ecstatic”
We are too ?????????#TeamIreland’s Rhasidat Adeleke wins the Girl’s 100m at the #EYOF2019 #Baku2019 ☘️☘️????@irishathletics pic.twitter.com/tLp4vzTTXV
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 23, 2019
Adeleke, who runs for Tallaght Athletic Club, is a Leaving Cert student at Presentation Community College in Terenure. She is one of the 33- strong Irish team who traveled to Baku in Azerbaijan for the games.
The gold medal will join a silver that Adeleke won as part of Ireland’s 4 x 100m relay team at the IAAF World Under 20 Championships last year. She also previously won silver in the European Youth Olympics Festival (EYOF) 200m in 2017.
It’s GOLD ? for Rhasidat Adeleke in the Girl’s 100m Final at the EYOF in Baku!#TeamIreland #EYOF2019 pic.twitter.com/15DeMjOYPO
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 23, 2019
The EYOF is aimed at athletes aged 14-18 in athletics, cycling, tennis, gymnastics and swimming, and helps to prepare them for future Youth and Olympic Games. Held every two years, in 2017 Team Ireland won a total of six medals.
