She may not have won a medal, but Rhasidat Adeleke did the entire country proud with her performance in the 400m final at the Olympics this evening.
The Dubliner came into the race with massive hopes of earning a podium finish, with her form over the last 12 months or so certainly suggesting that she had the talent to do so. In the end, despite a brilliant showing in Paris, it just wasn't to be.
Adeleke would finish in fourth place in the final. Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser would comfortably finish as the top two, while Natalia Kaczmarek would also pip the Irishwoman to the bronze on the home straight.
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O'Sullivan Sums Up Harsh Reality Of Olympics For Rhasidat Adeleke
Rhasidat Adeleke was visibly distraught after the race, with the 21-year old having been confident in her ability to win a medal in this event at the Olympics. Of course, she will has plenty of time on her side and should be just hitting her peak by the time the 2028 edition of the games rolls around.
It will be expected that the Irish athlete will get her hands on an Olympic medal over the coming years, although this race was a timely reminder of just how difficult this level of competition can be.
Speaking on RTÉ after the race, Sonia O'Sullivan said that while Adeleke performed brillaintly, she just didn't have enough to finish in the top three on the day.
She ran very well, she ran a lot better than the semi-final. She will definitely be disappointed with it, she can't not but be disappointed with it.
But she ran the best she could on the night. I think the others were just better.
Kaczmarek kind of had her measure from the Europeans and she moved on from that. I don't think Rhasidat moved on from the Europeans, I think she stayed about the same...
I think at the level she was running, she got further and closer to the finish line tonight than she ever has before. That's what you've got to do, you've got to push yourself at that level for as long as you can.
In the European Championships she only got to about 80 metres to go, tonight she got to 40 or 50 to go. You have to go out and practice that so when you come back next time you do better...
It would be easier if you got a medal, you wouldn't have to overcome this challenge. This is a challenge along the way.
The runners who finished ahead of Rhasidat Adeleke in this evening's race are all aged 26-27, the age at which 400m runners normally hit their peak. That means that the Irishwoman will be well positioned to perform to her best by the time the LA Olympics roll around.
For now, she will no doubt view tonight's race as an opportunity missed. That is the type of competitor that she is.
Despite this, she did everyone in Ireland proud with her performance tonight.
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