Tallaght pride for track stars Olatunde and Adeleke

It has been a special few days for Irish athletics, but nowhere is that pride more evident than within Tallaght Athletics Club.

With Israel Olatunde making history in the 100m, and Rhasidat Adeleke serving notice of her talent in the 400m, the progress of both athletes to final appearances at the European Championships in Munich has been watched on with particular interest by those within the club that nurtured both athletes.

On Tuesday, 20-year-old UCD student Olatunde ran a new national record (10.17) to finish sixth in the first ever appearance by an Irishman in the 100m final, 0.01sec faster than the mark set by Paul Hession 15 years ago.

Last night 19-year-old Adeleke announced herself on the world stage with a blistering run in the final of the women's 400m claiming a new Irish record in a time of 50.53 with a fifth-place finish.

Adeleke joined the club as an 11-year-old and competed in a number of disciplines – 60m, hurdles, cross-country – while Olatunde remains under the tutelage of club coach Daniel Kilgallon.

Tallaght AC PRO and coach Cecil Johnson says the performances of both athletes is a source of inspiration to many.

"Israel was certainly someone who was a late developer to the sport," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. "It is fantastic to see, at a time when you have young sports people dropping out after their teenage years or weary 20s.

"To see the likes of Rhasidat and Israel being retained within the sport and progressing so well..."

Johnson is confident Olatunde will "go all the way" and expects both to build nicely for the Olympic Games in 2024

"The Olympics in Paris in two years' time, you will see more of Rhasidat and Israel."