Irish athletics star Rhasidat Adeleke has received a flood of support following revelations of racist abuse she has endured online. The 21-year-old, who recently clinched mixed 4x400m relay gold, women's 4x400m relay silver, and individual 400m silver at the European Championships in Rome, is now one of Ireland's top medal hopes for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Numerous public figures, including Taoiseach Simon Harris, joined in condemning the abuse and praising Adeleke for her resilience and talent. Minister for Finance Michael McGrath posted on his X account: “Rhasidat needs to hear loud and clear that these racists are a tiny minority in Ireland & represent no one only themselves. She is an extraordinarily talented and gifted athlete, and more importantly an inspirational role model to girls and boys here.”
Rhasidat needs to hear loud and clear that these racists are a tiny minority in Ireland & represent no one only themselves. She is an extraordinarily talented and gifted athlete, and more importantly an inspirational role model to girls and boys here. https://t.co/ZELPDdTFEy
— Michael McGrath (@mmcgrathtd) June 15, 2024
Adeleke’s American-based coach, Edrick Floréal, spoke to Q102's Weekend Sports Breakfast about the impact of the online comments, revealing that the athlete had been in a "dark place" after the World Athletics Relays last month, where she helped secure Ireland's Olympic qualification and thay the comments had "really affected her, that her own people said negative things about her being an Irishwoman or not."
Adeleke's mother, Adewumi Ademola, also shared with the Irish Mail: "It's too much for her. She’s just a little girl. I don’t know. It’s not good for her. It’s really awful. In response to this, Ademola said that she had encouraged her daughter to "look forward to the positivity, not the negativity."
Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) issued a strong statement in response to the online abuse: "SARI is appalled but unsurprised that one of Ireland’s magnificent young athletes, Rhasidat Adeleke, who gave the nation such joy at last week’s European Athletic Championships in Rome, has suffered racial abuse online. It is shocking that one person – the only black member of a wonderfully talented team of athletes – can be targeted in this manner. This is another wake-up call for our legislators and those who govern Irish sport."
"...For some time, the signs of increased racism and an underlying hostility toward Ireland becoming a more diverse society have been evident. SARI has warned of this and of the urgent need for greater attention to be paid to the proactive encouragement of multiculturalism. It is internationally accepted that sport is a particularly appropriate means of training and educating citizens in the richness of a society that is diverse and inclusive."
"What happened to Rhasidat Adeleke this week after she brought such glory to Ireland is, sadly, just a reflection of what a great many in our society are dealing with on a daily basis."
Despite the negativity, the vast majority continues to support and celebrate Adeleke's achievements. As she prepares for the Paris Olympics, the outpouring of public and official support serves as a reminder of her significance not only as an athlete but as an inspiration to many.
