Rhasidat Adeleke's absence makes Ireland's relay task near impossible

If Adeleke was part of the team, Ireland would be ranked sixth of 17 competing nations, based on the season’s bests of the leading four athletes. In her absence, they will be ranked 16th

ABSENT: Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke in action during the individual 400m final. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Four athletes, one lap of the track and – barring something unforeseen – that will likely be the end of the road for the Irish at the World Championships in Budapest. Saturday evening’s women’s 4x400m heats will see Sharlene Mawdsley, Roisin Harrison, Sophie Becker, and Kelly McGrory take on the sprint superpowers in the final event with Irish involvement.

They’ll need a top-three finish to automatically secure a place in the final, though without the services of individual finalist Rhasidat Adeleke, that looks a huge ask. The 20-year-old Tallaght sprinter finished fourth in the world 400m final on Wednesday and it was hoped she’d play a key role for the team – as she did at the Europeans in Munich last year – but her absence means they will be hugely up against it.