Two Ireland athletics relay squads secured Olympic qualfication for Paris on the opening night of the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas – and there was Sligo interest in both squads.
North Sligo AC’s Chris O’Donnell and Sligo AC’s Lauren Cadden were both members of the extended relay squads for the World Relays. While neither athlete ran in Sunday morning’s heats, they are both key members of the respective Ireland squads.
First, the 4×400 metres quartet of Tom Barr, Cillian Greene, Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley won their head in a new Irish record time of 3:12.50 to book their place in Paris this summer.
The mixed relay squad also included North Sligo’s Chris O’Donnell, who has helped the 4×400 relay squad reach World and Olympic finals in recent years.
Later, Adelekeand Mawdsley were back on the track with Phil Healy and Sophie Becker as the Ireland women’s 4x400m relay team won their heat – again in the new national record time (3:24:38) – to also seal a place at the Olympic Games.
Sligo AC’s Lauren Cadden was one of two reserves on the Ireland women’s squad in the Bahamas.
Both teams will now prepare for the World Relay finals which take place in the early hours of Monday morning Irish-time.
