Sonia O'Sullivan less than impressed with Rhasidat Adeleke's World Champs withdrawal
The Tallaght runner was already forced to withdraw from the National championships in Santry last month with an injury and hasn't raced since the Diamond League meeting in London in July, where she ran 22.95seconds in the 200m.
In an Instagram post Adeleke explained that 'following yet another recent roadblock, I'm saddened to share that I'm unable to finish out this season.
I'll take this time to heal, recover and do what's necessary so I can show up next season as my best self, mind and body.' Rhasidat Adeleke competing in the women's 4x400m World Championship Qualifying Round 2 during the 2025 World Athletics Relays at Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
It was disappointing news for all involved, but it seems like Sonia O'Sullivan hasn't taken it well.
The Olympic silver medalist wrote about the Adeleke situation in her Irish Times column and she didn't seem best pleased with the way she has conducted herself.
'My first concern for Rhasidat Adeleke right now is that she's not being entirely open or honest' O'Sullivan wrote.
'Not just with herself but with some of the people around her,' she continued.
The main crux of O'Sullivan's argument is that while Adeleke may not be 100% to run in the individual 400m, she could've been fit enough to run in the women's 4x400m relay, which Ireland finished fourth in the Paris Olympics just last year.
'Maybe another option for Tokyo would have been to just focus on the relay when she realised her individual 400m aspirations weren't working out. If she had the right mindset. That makes you realise, too, the relay will never be a high priority for her. Olympian Sonia O'Sullivan during the Cork City Sports meet at MTU Arena in Cork. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
'But I think she could have considered that, taken a lot of the pressure off that way. Again, maybe people are telling her she's better than the relay.'
O'Sullivan again went after Adeleke's Instagram statement and is unsatisfied with how this whole thing has gone down.
'Without more transparency, it's hard to assess what exactly is going on. Even her posting a message on Instagram on Monday night struck me as odd.' Rhasidat Adeleke. Pic: INPHO/Eric Bellamy
'Adeleke is one of Ireland's most recognised and popular athletes and I don't think putting out a vague message on social media was the best way to deal with her withdrawal from the World Championships in Tokyo.'
There are still several other medal hopefuls in Ireland's roster for Tokyo like Kate O'Connor, Mark English and Sarah Healy.
It all gets underway on September 13 and runs until September 21.
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