Structural issues in lower back present a risk for Rhasidat Adeleke, says Athletics Ireland's Paul McNamara

Athletics Ireland high performance director Paul McNamara has spoken about a "duty of care" in relation to Rhasidat Adeleke after her withdrawal from the 4x400m relay squad at the World Championships, adding that "structural issues" in her lower back now presents a risk.

The Tallaght sensation finished fourth in the 400m final in Budapest on Wednesday night and had been expected to anchor the quartet, however a long season has caught up on the 20-year-old.

Fourth in the individual final in a time of 50.13 seconds, Adeleke looked spent when she crossed the line half a second behind third-placed Sada Williams of Barbados.

That was her third race in four days, following a gruelling American collegiate season, which saw her crowned NCAA 400m champion in June.

Adeleke made the decision to turn pro following her NCAA success, and while her first few months as a professional have not gone as smoothly as hoped, this may be partly explained by an MRI for an unspecified issue in the last few weeks.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Saturday Sport, Paul McNamara gave more clarity on the Tallaght competitor's absence from the relay event.

"Look, we're all disappointed Rhasidat is not in the relay, as she is, as is coach Flo [Edrick Floréal]. She has had a very long year, a big transition year going pro. She toured Europe, a short enough tour, but two big races, and then came back to Dublin.

"She and coach Flo did want to run the National Championships but our own medical team felt it was not good for her at that moment. There are underlying issues she needs to get sorted out, so it was our recommendations she didn't run National Championships.

"She always said I can only give you three rounds out there [in Budapest], she was selected in the 4x4 and