Rhasidat Adeleke delivered one of the standout performances of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, winning silver in the women’s 200m final with a national record of 22.28.
The Irish sprinter was quick away and stayed in contention throughout the race before finishing strongly in the closing stages. Dina Asher-Smith won the race in 22.19, with Adeleke crossing just behind her to take second place.
The result gave Adeleke a European Championships medal and a new national record, underlining the progress she has made in one of the most competitive events on the track. It also came on a night when Irish athletics had another major moment, with Mark English winning the men’s 800m final.
What Adeleke's run means
Adeleke’s 22.28 was more than just a podium finish. It showed that she can compete at the sharp end of a major championship final and still produce her best when it matters most. She started well, was behind Asher-Smith, and closed hard enough to make the result a very close one at the finish.
There was even a sense that the race could have gone either way if the finish line had come a little later. As it stood, Adeleke had to settle for silver, but the national record and the medal made it a significant night for her and for Irish athletics.
