Rhasidat Adeleke reflected on a momentous night in Munich and a national record to her name, but admitted that but for one fleeting moment, it could have been an even better performance in the women's 400m final at the European Championships.
The Tallaght teenager raced out of the traps in her first ever senior final in the event and coming off the bend and into the home stretch she was fourth and challenging for a medal.
Adeleke was unable to maintain the searing pace, pipped by Great Britain’s Victoria Ohuroguo at the line in a race won in some style by Femke Bol of the Netherlands.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the race, Adeleke said she was pleased with a national record in her first year of running 400m, especially given it was the 50th race of a gruelling season.
'She left nothing on the track' - Rhasidat Adeleke runs a new Irish record in a brave fifth place finish in the final of the 400m, won by Femke Bol #Munich2022 #rtesport pic.twitter.com/j9F57xcRjq
She did however concede her finish for home wasn’t helped by a glance at the big screen to check out her whereabouts in the standings.
"I wish I just had more in my legs for the last 50m. I was looking at the screen and thought 'oh my god I'm in a medal position' and feel like I shouldn't have done that because it threw me off a bit," she said.
"Honestly I was really hoping for a medal but I have to consider everything, this is like my 50th race of the season.
"To come here and break the national record… so many people support us in Ireland and I just want to give them something back. Thank you for supporting me and thank you for rooting for me."
Adeleke confirmed she will also take part in the women's 4x400m relay later in the week.
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