Ireland’s sprint star Rhasidat Adeleke will not compete at this weekend’s 123.ie National Track and Field Championships in Santry, dealing a blow to fans hoping to see her in action on home soil.
The 22-year-old was not listed among the official entries when the deadline closed on Sunday, and Athletics Ireland confirmed that she has opted to skip the championships “as she continues to focus on recovery following recent race exertions.”
While Adeleke’s management has not commented further, Athletics Ireland acknowledged that she is “disappointed not to be defending her national 100m title this weekend.”
Adeleke was the headline act at last year’s nationals, drawing thousands to Morton Stadium to witness her set a national 100m record of 11.13 seconds. Her absence this year comes amid a season where she has yet to hit her top gear. The fastest of her three 400m races this year is a 50.42 in Oslo, placing her 25th in the 2025 global rankings, well off her national record of 49.07 from the 2023 European Championships.
Despite the disappointment, Adeleke remains visible off the track. She appeared at a sponsor event at DCU’s Run Club last week, suggesting she remains active while prioritizing recovery. The move to skip nationals is not unprecedented among elite athletes as they prepare for global events, though it does come with stipulations.
According to Athletics Ireland’s selection policy for the World Championships in Tokyo this September, athletes may only be granted dispensation from the national championships under “medical reasons and/or exceptional circumstances,” with all medical claims to be vetted by the AAI medical team. Final decisions rest solely with the selectors.
Adeleke made a similar decision last year due to a minor injury and went on to finish fourth in the 400m final at the World Championships in Budapest. Her track record at the nationals includes winning the 100m title in 2022 and a double medal haul in 2021, gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m. Her most recent race was a season’s best 22.52 in the 200m at the London Diamond League on July 19.
While Adeleke’s absence will be felt, the championships still boast a strong lineup. Olympians Kate O’Connor, Mark English, Sarah Lavin, Sharlene Mawdsley, Sarah Healy, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Andrew Coscoran, and Sophie O’Sullivan are all set to compete in Santry.
Both days of competition will be streamed live on the Athletics Ireland YouTube Channel, with additional live coverage on RTÉ Two from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are priced at €15 per day or €25 for a two-day pass, with free entry for children under 16.