In the women’s 4×400-meter relay final at the European Championships in Rome, Ireland won the silver medal.
Despite setting a national record with their timing of three minutes and 22.71 seconds, the Irish team consisting of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy, and Sharlene Mawdsley came in second place, trailing only the Netherlands, whose winning time was 3:22.39.
Belgium, with a time of 3:22.95, took third place and the bronze medal.
After recording the fastest time in qualification, 3:24.80, in their heat, Ireland entered the final with confidence.
Lauren Cadden was replaced by Adeleke, who won the silver medal in the women’s 400-meter race on Monday.
Becker got off to a strong start for Ireland, but Lieke Klaver, the first changeover in first place, gave the Netherlands, the clear advantage heading into the final.
Adeleke took over from Becker and put on an outstanding second leg performance to overcome the Dutch.
With Ireland leading, she turned over to Healy, but at the end of the third leg, Lisanne de Witte caught up to give the Netherlands the advantage going into the last leg.
Femke Bol, the 400-meter hurdles champion, and Ireland’s Mawdsley had a close race until the very end, when the seasoned Dutchwoman broke away to win the gold.
“It’s so unbelievable, we broke the national record by two seconds and to come away with a silver medal, it has been such a successful championship and we’re looking forward to taking it onto a big summer,” Healy explained to BBC Sport following the final.
“We will really appreciate this medal and enjoy what we have done together. To win gold at the mixed relay was really special, but to be on the podium with these girls is even more special,” Mawdsley explained.
In the men’s 10,000m, Efrem Gidey placed 12th, and in the men’s 1,500m, Andrew Coscoran finished 13th with a time of 3:34.76.
Topics #European Championships #Ireland #Relay #Silver
