The Irish 4x400m relay squad achieved a historic feat at the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, The Bahamas, by smashing the national record and securing third place. They secured their spot in the Olympics with a remarkable performance in the heats on Sunday morning.
The Irish team recorded a time of 3:11.53 to finish in the bronze position behind the USA (3:10.73) and the Netherlands (3:11.45).
The times recorded were Rhasidat Adeleke's (48.45), Cillín Greene's (46.92), Thomas Barr's (46.04), and Sharlene Mawdsley's (50.12).
Also, the women's 4x400m team, missing Adeleke and Mawdsley, placed seventh in the final. Healy started with 52.38, followed by Harrison with 53.27 and Cadden with 53.09. Becker finished with 52.21, resulting in a total time of 3:30.95. The USA won with 3:21.70.
“From Paradise to Paris” hear from the Super Irish Quartet who are Olympic bound in the 4x400m relay #worldrelays - full iv on instagram video courtesty:athletics ireland/123.ie pic.twitter.com/nEbA9OL6KY
— Will Dalton (@WillDalton01) May 5, 2024
Thomas Barr, in the aftermath, claimed he was proud of the team's achievements.
"I was here nine years ago in 2015, and we were sixth, I think (in heat 3), the men's team; the women’s team [Healy, Amy Foster, Stephanie Creaner, and Catherine McManus] were fifth (4x100m heat)," he told Athletics Ireland.
"We came out of it, and I was quoted as saying, "Just to be here is an unbelievable privilege," and it was as good as that.
"Look at what we’ve built on in nine years, so I am very, very proud of this team and what we’ve built in the last couple of years.
"I’m very, very proud to say that we gave absolutely everything we had today. It’s not just us four here on the track; there have been a huge amount of people involved in this team since its inception, as well as the subs that we have warming up with us today on camp with us."
Barr also commended the way Irish athletes silence the doubters who think they can't achieve great things.
"We always punch above our weight; that is our magic."
