Sharlene Mawdsley's far-from-linear road to the pinnacle of the sporting world

From the lows of stress and PTSD to the highs of Rome's European Championships, it's been a rollercoaster countdown to the Olympics. Now though she's ready to dream big again. Cathal Dennehy spoke to the Tipperary woman.

RUNNING FREE: Sharlene Mawdsley during the Team Ireland Paris 2024 team announcement for Athletics at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Pic: Sam Barnes, Sportsfile

The path is never linear. The road to her first Olympics is one that’s zigged and zagged, that’s chewed her up and spat her out more times than she cares to remember. But now Sharlene Mawdsley is finally here: at the pinnacle of the sporting world.

She hoped, and thought, this would happen back in 2021.