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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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Team Ireland relay team after qualifiying for the final in the women's 4 x 400m relay at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Game. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Team Ireland’s women’s 4x400m team will make more sporting history tonight when they contest their first-ever Olympic final.
Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory and Sharlene Mawdsley caused a sensation by finishing third in their semi-final behind Jamacia and Netherlands, earning an automatic qualifying spot to tonight’s historic decider.
The squad will be further strengthened for the final by the addition of Rhasidat Adeleke. She was deeply disappointed to just miss out an individual medal but confirmed immediately after that she will give her all again in the 4x400m.
In an extra twist, Sharlene Mawdsley will be hoping for a birthday present to remember in the form of an Olympic gold medal to add to the Newport native’s growing collection of accolades.
The Newport AC star, who turns 26 today, produced her now familiar last leg (49.65) once again to ensure the team secured qualification, and a place in history as the first Irish women’s relay team to ever make an Olympic final.
Where is the race?
The race takes place at the Stade de France on what is the final night of action at the stadium.
What time is the race?
The women’s 4x400m relay final should get underway shortly after 8pm this evening, with the official scheduled time 8.14pm.
Where to watch?
RTÉ 2 will provide coverage, with a live stream available on RTÉ Player also.
How did Ireland get this far?
Ireland will be hoping that Rhasidat Adeleke's inclusion will shave more off of their impressive qualifying time of 3:25.05. They will need that as reigning Olympic champions USA qualified with a time of 3:21.44, and four more of the qualifiers – Jamaica, Great Britain, France and Belgium – all ran sub 3:25 in yesterday’s semi-finals.
The Netherlands were just outside that with 3:25:03 but, with Femke Bol to come into their squad now, the European champions will also be faster in tomorrow’s decider.
The USA have won every women's 4x400m relay since 1996 and look set to win their eighth straight title as they looked particularly impressive, qualifying more than three seconds ahead of Britain. Jamaica are also always strong and won bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
The Irish 4x400m record is 3:22.71 from the European final in June when Ireland claimed silver behind the Dutch.
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