A third Olympics for Thomas Barr but not how he envisioned it

Indications in Paris this week are that even if the Irish do make the mixed 4x400m final, Rhasidat Adeleke won’t be involved as she understandably focuses her efforts on the 400m.

Three-time Olympian Thomas Barr. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

It’s not how he envisioned the Olympics – his third and final Games. But Thomas Barr is nonetheless ready to make the most of it. The 32-year-old had intended to be in Paris for both the 400m hurdles and mixed 4x400m relay, but having fallen agonisingly short of qualification for the former, he’s now all-in on the latter.

In tomorrow evening’s mixed 4x400m heats, he will run the third leg, joining forces with Chris O’Donnell, Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley, hoping to help Ireland into a global final for the fourth year in a row. And given the results Ireland has achieved this year – winning bronze at the World Relays and gold at the Europeans – he knows their days of coming in under the radar are no more.