Paris 2024: Questions abound for Rhasidat Adeleke ahead of 400m final

In the end the finishing line came just in time for Rhasidat Adeleke. Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser had a bit to spare in front, while Adeleke was starting to labour in second. The Tallaght athlete just about did enough to secure a place in Friday's 400m final.

Job done, but not quite in the way we expected. Afterwards, the Irish record holder did not come out to engage with the press huddle.

She apparently received medical attention after the race, with a spokesperson for Team Ireland saying she was fatigued but dismissed concerns as to her wellbeing. The 21-year-old will line up at the Stade de France at 7pm (Irish time) on Friday.

In doing so, she's the first Irish female athlete to compete in an Olympic sprint final.

Adeleke will no doubt look to give it her all in the pursuit of a medal, but this 400m is stacked with talent, so much so that Nickisha Pryce - the fastest over the distance this year - failed to qualify.

To hone in more on Adeleke's run, she started very well, and soon closed down the stagger on Junelle Bromfield who was in the lane outside of her. It then appeared as if it would be a battle between the Dubliner and Eid Naser, but the latter found an extra gear in the final 100 and won with a bit to spare.

Adeleke started to tie up; her running action wasn't smooth and soon Henriette Jaeger and the Netherlands' Lieke Klaver, who was given a warning after an initial false start to the race, started to loom in her rear mirror. Adeleke was looking around her, apparently making glances at the big screen, and then the line was her friend when it mattered.

After Monday's heat, won in impressive style by Adeleke, RTÉ co-commentator David Matthews highlighted a change in her technique.

"I saw a difference in her top half,