Rhasidat Adeleke blazes to first-ever Diamond League victory as Irish ace lays down pre-Olympics marker

RHASIDAT ADELEKE gave her Olympics hopes a huge boost by powering home to her first Diamond League win in the 400m in Monaco last night.

The Tallaght sprinter claimed victory in 49.17 seconds.

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The time was her second-fastest ever, just shy of her 49.07 Irish record which was set when she took silver at the European Championships in Rome last month.

Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands was second while America’s Kendall Ellis was third.

Adeleke said: “It felt really good. You know, it felt like a good, controlled run. Very smooth.

“I’m really happy how that went. I think I’m in the right spot for the rest of the season, so yeah, I’m looking forward to how I can do.

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“I just need to make sure I stay focused and all eyes on the Olympics, so hopefully I’ll be there when it matters.

“Anything can happen in Paris as it is a championship.

"I just want to run fast, but the women’s 400m this season has been spectacular.”

It was the 21-year-old’s first race since she broke the Irish 100m title 13 days ago.

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Adeleke will compete once more before Paris, at next Saturday’s Diamond League meeting in London.

There was disappointment for Ciara Mageean, with the European 1500m champion well off the pace in the 2000m, finishing a distant tenth in 5:43.06.