Sharlene Mawdsley enjoying 'big change' after rollercoaster year

Her sights might be firmly set on LA 2028 but Sharlene Mawdsley she can't help but let her thoughts drift back to the events of last summer. And why wouldn't she?

Think of the Everest-like elation of a European gold in Rome as part of Team Ireland's 4x400 mixed relay outfit and a cherished silver on top of it in the women's 4x400.

But then remember the Mariana Trench of bittersweetness just weeks later in Paris. Again running the final leg within the latter quartet - alongside Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke and Phil Healy - Mawdsley crossed the finish line within an agonising 0.18 seconds of an improbable Irish Olympic relay medal. An immense achievement from the vantage point of we mere mortals, but among elite competitors the immortality of medals is often all that counts in their eyes.

Their post-race interview with David Gillick at the Stade de France in the immediate aftermath tugged at many a heartstring.

Paris 2024: "This team belongs in major finals."

Tears and pride from Ireland's women's 4x400 relay team after a performance to remember in the Olympic final