Sonia O’Sullivan questioned Rhasidat Adeleke’s decision not to be part of the Ireland’s relay for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships

There has been some disappointing news from the world of athletics in recent days, with it being announced that Rhasidat Adeleke will not be part of Ireland’s team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month. The Irish sprinter has endured a difficult 2025 season, battling injuries and a lack of form. She recently withdrew from the national track and field championships after also missing the Diamond League event in Monaco.

Rhasidat Adeleke released a statement on social media to confirm her absence from the world’s biggest athletics event, citing “ongoing injuries and setbacks”.

While it is a disappointing end to the season for Rhasidat Adeleke, some have questioned her decisions in recent months.

Sonia O’Sullivan knows what it takes to compete at the highest level in athletics, having been a world-class athlete herself for over a decade. She has been a huge supporter of Rhasidat Adeleke since she first emerged onto the big stage, but the Cork woman has expressed some doubts about the 22-year-old’s approach in recent months.

In an article for the Irish Times, Sonia O’Sullivan questioned how honest Rhasidat Adeleke was about the reasons for her struggles in 2025, suggesting that vague phrases used in public were not helping matters. She also wondered why Rhasidat Adeleke chose not to run in the 4x400m relay with Team Ireland in Tokyo.

“My first concern with Rhasidat Adeleke at the moment is that she’s not being completely open or honest. Not just with herself, but with some of the people around her. Maybe another option for Tokyo would have been to just focus on the relay when she realized her individual ambitions in the 400m weren’t working out. If she had the right mindset. It also makes you realize that the relay was never going to be a high priority for her. But I think she could have considered that, taken a lot of the pressure off that way. Maybe people are telling her she’s better than the relay”, said Sonia O’Sullivan.

Rhasidat Adeleke has been a key part of the Irish 4x400m relay team in recent years, competing in both the women’s and mixed relay events. She was part of the team for the World Athletics Relays in May, helping Ireland qualify for the World Championships.

She has been cautious about team events, especially at major championships. She did not take part in the mixed relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

It’s understandable why Rhasidat Adeleke is trying to balance relays with her individual goals, although Sonia O’Sullivan clearly thinks she would be better off running alongside her Irish teammates in Tokyo next month.