History made as Irish relay team win European gold

The mixed 4x400m relay team of Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley have made history by winning a gold medal for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome this evening (June 7th).

This Irish team achieved a national record time of 3:09.92, setting a new championship record on a memorable night for Irish athletics.

Starting off the race, North Sligo athlete O’Donnell finished fourth in 46.09 before passing the baton to Adeleke, who ran a split of 49.53 seconds. Barr took over in first place and ran an impressive leg of 44.90, keeping the team in second position. Mawdsley then received the baton and ran a 49.40 split, ultimately taking the lead in the last 100m with overwhelming support from Irish fans in the stadium.

Barr, Adeleke, O’Donnell, and Mawdsley now join Sonia O’Sullivan as the only Irish gold medallists in the 90-year history of the European Championships.

Ireland finished ahead of Italy (3:10.69) with the Netherlands coming in third with a time of 3:10.69.