Adeleke finishes fifth and sets new Irish record in 400m final

Ireland's Rhasidat Adeleke announced herself on the world stage with a blistering run in the final of the women’s 400m at the European Championship in fifth, finishing fifth and setting a new Irish record.

Facing an unkind draw in lane one, the Tallaght woman started at a furious pace, overtaking her lane neighbour Cynthia Bolingo of Belgium.

By the half-way stage, Adeleke was up to fourth and looking to improve as she gave the race all she had but she faded slightly in the final 100 metres and was overtaken into fifth by Great Britain’s Victoria Ohuroguo.

Nevertheless, a fifth placed finish in such a strong field represents a major step forward for the teenager, as does the new Irish record she set, as she finished in a time of 50.53.

The gold medal went to Dutch Olympic medalist Femke Bol, who clocked 49.44, while it was silver and bronze for Poland with Natalia Kaczmarek finishing second and Anna Kielbasinksa third.

This race was Adeleke's 49th in a grueling season split between international races and her collegiate duties at the University of Texas.

Adeleke confirmed to RTÉ Sport that she will also take part in the women's 4x400m relay later in the week.

Afterwards, Adeleke admitted to being slightly disappointed not to have won a medal in an event that she is still a recent covert to.

"I gave it all I had, it wasn't enough for a medal but I got a new national record so I'm happy," she said.

"I'm so new to the 400m, when my coach says 'go out in 23', I don't know what that is honestly, so I just out with them.

"It's my first year doing the 400m, hopefully I'm going to start training for it this fall and let's see what I can next year.

"I wish I just had more in my legs for the last 50m. I was looking at the screen and thought