Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley have powered into Monday night’s European 400m final after impressive displays at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday evening. Adeleke coasted to victory in her semi-final in 50.54, while Mawdsley finished second in hers in 50.
99. Adeleke set off at a swift tempo in her race, turning for home roughly level with Britain’s Laviai Nielsen, but the Irishwoman was easily the stronger in the home straight, taking victory and ensuring a decent lane draw for Monday night’s final. “I felt good, it was a good run,” said Adeleke.
“I was just good to get a new start after the relay. There was so much going with that and it was just important to keep my head down and make sure that I keep remembering the rest of the goals. It was very important to kind of stay grounded and continue on looking forward to the rest of the competition.
” Adeleke’s chief threat in the battle for gold will likely be Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek, who took victory in the second semi-final looking equally as comfortable as Adeleke, clocking 50.70. Ireland’s Sophie Becker had a strong run in fourth in that race, clocking 51.
54, which was not enough to advance. “It’s bittersweet,” said Becker. “I did everything I thought I could but ultimately it wasn’t enough so I’m disappointed.
I thought I might run the Olympic qualification time but I didn’t, it’d be nice to sleep at night knowing I’m not relying on the rankings (to qualify). How does Ad.