Olympics 24: Rhasidat is ‘inspiration’ to next generation of Tallaght AC athletes

“RHASIDAT is very much the star of Tallaght Athletics Club but we’ve got a great crop of youngsters coming through and she sets a great example to all of them’, reports Ken Doyle.

Cecil Johnson, coach, former chairman and longtime leading figure of Tallaght AC, speaks extremely highly of local sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke, star of Irish athletics and medal contender for the Paris Olympic Games which start later this month.

Originally from Ballyfermot, Cecil has been involved in athletics as a competitor and administrator for many years.

Cecil said: “My first involvement in the sport was when I ran at schools level for Ballyfermot Vocational School which was very competitive and I ran for Metropolitan Harriers. I also ran at the first Community Games in 1967 and have been involved with that event ever since.”

He placed fourth in those games, finishing behind none other than 1983, 5000-metres world champion Eamonn Coughlan.

“I moved to Killinarden in Tallaght in 1983, the year after the big snow and I’ve been involved in a lot of community concerns ever since.”

Cecil first met Rhasidat when she joined Tallaght AC at around ten years of age. She loved athletics in general and got stuck in to every discipline she could.

Rhasidat in action for Ireland in the Mixed 4x400m Relay final during the 2024 European Athletics Championships (Image: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile)

“She did everything,” Cecil recalls.

“She excelled in the high jump and long jump and took junior honours in both. She also competed in cross country believe it or not.

“There was never any pressure on her. She was just young and enthusiastic and she had a great group of friends around her at the club.”

It soon became apparent that Rhasidat was a serious talent over the shorter distances and as time went on, she began concentrating on the sprints.

In the following years, Rhasidat won title after title and improved all the time. Eventually she was snapped up by the ‘Longhorns’ of the University of Texas to run for them at collegiate level in the states, a step up in class that she took in her stride.

“She’s very grounded still and many of her closest mates are still here involved with the club”, Cecil said.

“In fact she’d still be very close to a lot of her relay team mates from her days competing for us. Add to that the fact that her brother Abdullahi is a promising sprinter and sister Lati is a shot-putter and both still represent the Tallaght AC with distinction.”

Rhasidat also credits her mum Adewumi as being her greatest cheerleader throughout her career and appreciates the sacrifices she made to make her daughter’s dreams come true. Rhasidat has been quoted as saying she wouldn’t be where she is now without Ade’s unwavering support.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Tallaght native though.

“Earlier this year, she had to deal with the loss of her first coach, legend of Irish athletics, the much missed Johnny Fox. I know Rhasidat took Johnny’s passing very hard but it’s a testament to her strength and will that she stayed focused on her athletics in that sad period,” Cecil said.

“There’s a very promising new generation of athletes at our club now making their mark in the sport and Rhasidat is a great source of inspiration to them, leading the way and showing what’s possible in the sport.

“The likes of Israel Olatunde and Joseph Ojewumi, are just two young athletes who are hoping to emulate her achievements.”

The clubhouse at Tallaght Athletics Club is bound to be rocking as Rhasidat steps up to her blocks in Paris and Cecil will be cheering as loudly as anyone.

As for her chances, Daniel Kilgallon, Tallaght AC sprint coach who coached her between 2018 and 2021 when she moved to Texas, said: “If her preparation is right and everything in the run up to the games goes as planned I see no reason why she can’t come home with a medal.

“I’m never surprised to hear of her latest big achievement. She was top class from day one.”

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