Watch: 'Stuff of dreams' as Ireland's 4x400m Relay heroes receive gold medals in Rome 

Amhrán na bhFiann rings around the outside of the Stadio Olimpico as history makers Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley climb to the top of the podium to receive prizes 

HISTORY MAKERS: The Ireland 4x400m relay team, from left, Thomas Barr, Rhasidat Adeleke, Chris O'Donnell and Sharlene Mawdsley celebrate with their gold medals during day two of the 2024 European Athletics Championships at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Together they stood, proud as can be, smiling and singing and basking in the golden glow of a rare achievement. It’s a feeling every athlete dreams of, but one precious few get to experience.

But at the European Championships in Rome today, Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley made that a reality, the victorious Irish quartet receiving their gold medals for last night’s mixed 4x400m relay in front of a sizable Irish contingent, who sang along as Amhrán na bhFiann blasted out from a stage alongside the Stadio Olimpico.