The CEO of Athletics Ireland has described Irish supporters as the ‘best in the world’, after Mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke won medals at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
English won the gold medal for Ireland in the men's 800m, while Adeleke won silver in the 200m.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Athletics Ireland CEO Hamish Adams said he was “over the moon” and said it had been “just a fantastic evening for Irish sport”.
“It's a huge team effort,” he said.
“It's not only the team of 47 athletes and 35 coaches and doctors and physios and leaders that are here.
“It's the 50 people that work for Athletics Ireland, it's the 100,000 members on the island of Ireland.
“It means a lot to us.”
View this post on Instagram
Mr Adams also praised those who had travelled from Ireland to Birmingham to cheer on Irish athletes.
“The Irish supporters are the best supporters in the world,” he said.
“Every time an Irish athlete is introduced, it's the biggest cheer in the stadium.
“When Mark and Rashida did their lap of honour last night after their medals, the Irish people getting down to the edge of the track was just incredible.”
View this post on Instagram
Mr Adams continued that there are a number of other promising Irish athletes competing in the Euros, noting that Olympians Andrew Coscoran and Cathal Doyle will be competing in the men’s 1500m.
He continued that Sophie O'Sullivan and Sarah Healy will be running in the women's 1500m tomorrow, while Kate O’Connor has a “busy couple of days” ahead of her.
“Kate O'Connor is starting with the 100m hurdles and high jump this morning,” he said.
“Then this evening, she's got shot put and 200m.
“Then tomorrow, she's got long jump and javelin, then to finish off tomorrow evening, she's got an 800 metres.
“So, that's the joys of being a hipped athlete with the seven events.”
Main image: Rhasidat Adeleke with the Irish flag. Picture by: Alamy.com.
