Sonia O’Sullivan: Saturday spotlight falls on Rhasidat Adeleke at National Championship in Santry

All eyes will be on Rhasidat Adeleke at the National Track and Field Championships in Santry this Saturday, as she aims to secure qualification for the European Championships. The deadline for qualification falls on Sunday evening, adding urgency to her performance in the 200m race, where she needs to achieve a time of 22.85 seconds.

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Now her back is up against the wall, and maybe she just hasn’t been in the right mindset in her races up to this point.

Adeleke has experienced a challenging start to the season, performing below her usual standards in both her preferred 400m and the 200m. The article suggests she is determined to find her form and that perhaps her mindset has been hindering her races. The pressure of expectation is a constant factor, but the piece emphasizes the need for her to focus on the task at hand and perform, even if not at her absolute best.

Competing on home soil could provide a significant boost for Adeleke, reminding her of her roots and potentially inspiring her performance. Conditions are expected to be favorable, provided there is no headwind. Her primary goal remains to win, which the author believes is achievable if she is fit and healthy. The article notes that she tends to struggle when other runners overtake her, suggesting a potential focus on the 200m might be more beneficial this year.

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If I was talking to an athlete in that position, I would tell them to forget about what they’ve done in the past and instead to see this as a way of starting over again, beginning the climb back to the top.

This event marks Adeleke's first race in Ireland in two years, her last being a 100m victory at the National Championships in 2024. Even if she doesn't hit the 200m qualifying mark, there's a possibility she could still join the Irish women's 4x400m relay squad, which might help rebuild her confidence. Several other races are still scheduled across the Diamond League and Continental Tour.

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As long as she’s fit and healthily, I would be surprised if she can’t win. Which, again, must be her number one priority.