What Rhasidat Adeleke says in that viral post race interview following the World Relay Championships over the weekend has social media reeling over the Tallaght woman’s enthusiastic aura, sensational work ethic and unrivalled mindset.
In reality though, if you’ve followed her journey for a while, you’ll know all of this comes as no surprise.
The 21 year old sprinter helped the 4x400m mixed relay team to a bronze medal at the Bahamas event, playing a major part in qualifying both that outfit, and the 4x400m women’s relay team for the upcoming Olympic Games this summer.
Those accolades join a long list of her recent accomplishments, with Adeleke also set to take to the stage in at least the 200 and 400m in Paris.
“I came in to Texas as a short sprinter & I’m reviving that now!”
Our Irish superstar Rhasidat Adeleke (@rhasidatadeleke) after helping her 4x400m relay teams qualify for the Paris Olympics 🇮🇪🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/RtaFKSugpC— Lillz (@LillzTIL) May 6, 2024
“I’ve been working,” Adeleke responds immediately when asked by Lillz TIL as to what she would like people to know.
“I’ve been working really hard. Me and my coach we have a plan and the goal is to keep going, keep pushing,” she continues.
“Every race I’m building confidence and what I’m doing in training is transitioning to how I’m competing, and that’s the goal.
“I came here and did so many races as a session. This was a session for me. For me to go out there 49.4, 49.6, 48.4, you know it just shows everything is paying off.
“I’m just going to continue to keep believing in myself, keep trusting God, keep trusting my coach and my support team and just be appreciative of my team who helped me get here, I couldn’t have done it without them and everyone who supports me.
“Just up and onwards from here,” she concludes her answer.
"This was a session for me" pic.twitter.com/muxfY6puJA
— Random (@actual_random_) May 6, 2024
Adeleke is then asked about her ever increasing speed, which is becoming more amplified throughout the world as the Olympic Games draw ever closer.
“We’ve been working on that,” she opens.
“Speed is an important factor in the 400m and I wouldn't be able to do it at all.
“I came into Texas as a short sprinter and you know I’m reviving that now because I’m fast and I’m learning how to work on the specifics and the technique that’s needed to run fast.
“Essentially that’s going to transition to my 400m and it’s going to help all my sprint events.
“I’ve been working. I’ve been working on my strength, my speed, everything that’s going to account to me being a good 400m runner. I've been working on it. On my mentality too,” she adds.
I love the way this young woman thinks , she has the mind of a champion . We are so lucky as Irish sports fans to have her . Arguably the greatest talent to ever represent our small nation 🇮🇪❤️ @rhasidatadeleke https://t.co/VaTe81UXHl
— Rob Heffernan OLY (@RM_Heffernan) May 6, 2024
Social media reacts to What Rhasidat Adeleke says in that viral post race interview
That mentality is perhaps the thing that has stood out most to onlookers when they react to what Rhasidat Adeleke says in that viral post race interview.
“What a calm, focused interview. I just love how Rhasidat Adeleke explains what work the results are stemming from. Magic,” says former Modern Pentathlete and three time Irish Olympian Natalya Coyle, on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
What a calm focused interview.
I just love how @rhasidatadeleke explains what work the results are stemming from. Magic 🪄 https://t.co/e53ZlPaTj0— Natalya Coyle (@Natalyacoyle) May 6, 2024
“I love the way this young woman thinks , she has the mind of a champion . We are so lucky as Irish sports fans to have her . Arguably the greatest talent to ever represent our small nation,” Rob Heffernan, racewalker and five time Irish Olympian says.
“Love this interview. Gives a glimpse into the mindset and phenomenal character of Rhasidat Adeleke,” fellow Olympian Martina McCarthy adds.
High praise from some of the country’s highest calibre of sporting athletes, there’s no doubt that (if she’s not there already) Adeleke will look to make similar history this summer.
Love this interview. Gives a glimpse into the mindset and phenomenal character of @rhasidatadeleke https://t.co/jmX8p6bXcO
— Martina McCarthy OLY (@shotsmmc) May 6, 2024
