Paul McNamara backs decision for Rhasidat Adeleke to bypass relay

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

Athletics Ireland’s High Performance Director Paul McNamara has said it is not in Rhasidat Adeleke’s best interests to race the women’s 4x400m relay at the World Championships in Budapest Saturday night, adding “there is a risk of injury if she races again.” 

The 20-year-old Dubliner will be absent when the Irish quartet takes to the track at the National Athletics Centre Saturday evening, having struggled with physical issues and fatigue over the past month. “I just had issues and that's what happens when it's a long season, it's just general fatigue, and my body was just kind of breaking down a bit,” she said earlier this week.