'You are Ireland' - Taoiseach Simon Harris supports Rhasidat Adeleke in wake of online abuse

Women's 400m silver medallist Rhasidat Adelekeposes with her medal during day four of the 2024 European Athletics Championships at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome

Taoiseach Simon Harris has urged "class" Rhasidat Adeleke to not let "online cowards" affect her, after her coach Edrick Floreal detailed the abuse the three-time European medallist has received in recent months.

Adeleke won mixed 4x400m relay gold, women's 4x400m relay silver and individual 400m silver in a terrific week in Rome at the European Championships.

However, Floreal spoke to Q102′s Weekend Sports Breakfast about comments made online in the wake of last month's World Athletics Relays, where she had helped Ireland to Olympic qualification.

She will head to the Paris Games as one of Ireland's brightest medal hopes, and yet the immensely talented Tallaght 21-year-old has had to endure some toxic comments made on social media.

The Taoiseach - who welcomed some of Adeleke's relay team-mates into his office on Friday - reminded the sprinting superstar, in a post on X, that she is an inspiration.

"Rhasidat Adeleke is not only a world-class champion, she is a world-class person. You have inspired a nation this week, especially young girls & boys. You are class, so please do not let online cowards bring you down. You are Ireland and Ireland could not be more proud of you."

A statement from SARI (Sport Against Racism Ireland) later added: "SARI (Sport Against Racism Ireland) is appalled but unsurprised that one of Ireland’s magnificent young athletes, Rhasidat Adeleke, who gave the nation such joy at last week’s European Athletic Championships in Rome, has suffered racial abuse online.

"It is shocking that one person - the only black member of a wonderfully talented team of athletes - can be targeted in this manner. This is another wake-up call for our legislators and those who govern Irish sport. 

"Unfortunately, working at the frontline of diversity and inclusion for decades, SARI has little confidence that institutional Ireland will set about tackling this threat to the wellness of our society in anything like the profound manner needed.

"For some time, the signs of increased racism and an underlying hostility toward Ireland becoming a more diverse society have been evident. SARI has warned of this and of the urgent need for greater attention to be paid to the proactive encouragement of multiculturalism. 

"It is internationally accepted that sport is a particularly appropriate means of training and educating citizens in the richness of a society that is diverse and inclusive.

"SARI has taken the imperative of this to government and to Sport Ireland but to little or no avail. It’s through training and education that minds can be informed and hearts opened.

"SARI specialises in this work but to meet a growing need requires resourcing.

"This should be led by government but supported by all commercial interests that sponsor sport. The continuing indifference of most stakeholders is contributing to a situation where those among us who dislike multiculturalism are emboldened to spread fear and hatred.

"What happened to Rhasidat Adeleke this week, after she brought such glory to Ireland is, sadly, just reflective of what a great many in our society are dealing with on a daily basis.

"SARI would ask that, this time round all those whose responsibility it is to correct the problem would wake up to the nature of the challenge."