Adeleke’s incredible achievements, including gold in the mixed 4x400m relay and silver in the women’s 4x400m relay, have elevated her profile as one of the top athletes heading into the Paris Games. With a season’s best of 49.07 seconds in Monaco, she has demonstrated her capability to compete at the highest level.

Her journey to this point has been heavily influenced by her mother, Ade, whose unwavering support and commitment have been crucial. "My mam comes to every single meet ever since I was growing up. She put me first all the time," Adeleke shared. 

Her mother’s dedication extended beyond athletics, ensuring Adeleke balanced her training with academics, a testament to the strong bond they share."To be able to be here, doing what I love, I just feel so grateful to her because I definitely wouldn’t be here without her," Adeleke added, highlighting the integral role her mother has played in her success.

As Adeleke prepares for Paris, she is driven by a deep desire to secure Olympic gold, hoping to surpass Sonia O'Sullivan's 5,000m silver from the 2000 Sydney Games, which remains Ireland’s only female Olympic athletics medal. "I wanted gold," Adeleke stated in Rome. "Hopefully moving forward I get my gold."

While her athletic journey has been marked by remarkable performances, it has not been without challenges. Recently, Adeleke faced a wave of racist abuse on social media, questioning her right to represent Ireland. Despite this, she remains focused on her goal, bolstered by the support of figures like Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, who praised her as an inspiration and a proud representative of Ireland.

"Rhasidat Adeleke is not only a world-class champion, she is a world-class person," Harris affirmed. "You are Ireland and Ireland could not be more proud of you."

As the Paris Olympics approach, Adeleke’s aspiration for gold is more than a personal goal; it is a powerful statement of resilience and pride in her heritage.