‘He was there for everyone’ - Rhasidat Adeleke pays tribute to coach Johnny Fox
Rhasidat Adeleke yesterday launched SPAR’s European Athletics Championship campaign, which calls on the Irish public to show why we are known as the best fans in the world.
For Rhasidat Adeleke it is still raw. Her first coach Johnny Fox was a man filled with passion for track and field.
“He was there for everyone,” she says. “If you called, he’d answer the phone. He’d make sure you were all right if you were having a bad day. He’d put a smile on your face. He was just an amazing man and the whole community would say the same thing.”
On Sunday, beloved Tallaght Athletic club coach and volunteer Fox died at the age of 83. Fox served the club for over 50 years. he was recognised with a National Volunteer Award and was the mentor that helped a 15-year-old stun Europe’s best at the 2018 European U18 championships when Adeleke won gold for Ireland.
Adeleke was speaking as part of a launch for the European Athletics Championships. She does such media appearances every couple of months. It is a welcomed opportunity to provide an update on her training schedule, competition plans and the road to Paris.
On this occasion, however, it is a chance to pay tribute to a shining figure in her rise to stardom.
“Honestly, throughout this period I have been reflecting on everything he has done for me. He was my first coach at Tallaght since I was 12. He built me up so much, not just as an athlete but my characteristics as an individual. He showed me values in life. He was so wise, he lived through so many experiences and shared them with me. I can learn from his experiences and not have to endure certain things myself.
“He did so much for me. He would take me to practice, take me to competitions if my mam was at work. He invested in me so much. He saw my talent; he spoke to me and motivated me to make sure I was on the right path doing the best for myself.”
For every major juncture in her career - moving to Texas, race distances, turning pro - Fox was an advisor. A wave of sadness mixes with her warm memories of the stalwart. Above all else, Adeleke exudes a deep sense of gratitude. That is something she intends to carry with her.
The path to the Olympics is starting to take shape. The 21-year-old is set to partake in the Texas Invitational later this month and still intends to compete at the European Athletics Championships in June. Before that there is the World Relays in the Bahamas on May 4/5. Adeleke is part of the Mixed 4x400m and Women’s 4x400m team.
They will meet at a camp in Florida in the coming weeks, but the group chat is constantly active anyway. This is their chance to qualify the relay teams for the Olympic games. She already knows what they can achieve. And she knows who she can achieve it for.
“I'm really excited. I've been to the World Relays once before and it was such an amazing meet. I just can't wait to have that experience again; it is going to be like my first championships in a while and it is just so nice for me to start off with relays because I guess it just brings back that team aspect that I love so much.
"You are fighting for more than yourself, you're fighting for your team and trying to make sure your team qualifies for the Olympics and that would be an amazing opportunity.
"I think that we can definitely do it so I'm really excited to be able to put on the vest again and be able to show off the best that we can do. It's putting on the Irish vest again and running for something more than yourself.
"Even in an individual race I am running for more than myself. I'm running for my family, my friends, my coaches, my country and all the people who have supported me.”
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