Adeleke, the face of modern Ireland, eyes Games glory

Rhasidat Adeleke hopes to become the first Irish woman to win an Olympic athletics gold in Paris, an achievement that would provide a fitting riposte to the racists that have targeted her with online abuse.

Born and raised in Ireland to Nigerian parents, Adeleke, 21, heads to Paris as the European 400m silver medalist — one of three medals she won in Rome in June — and following an impressive win at the Monaco Diamond League meet.

However, the warm afterglow of her performances at the European Championships — gold in the mixed 4x400m relay and silver in the 4x400m women's relay — was overshadowed by a wave of racist abuse on social media which questioned her right to represent Ireland.