Sonia O’Sullivan Critiques Rhasidat Adeleke’s World Championship Withdrawal

Sonia O’Sullivan, a prominent figure in Irish athletics, has publicly questioned Rhasidat Adeleke’s explanation for her withdrawal from the upcoming World Athletics Championships. On Monday, Adeleke announced that she would not compete in Tokyo from September 13-21, 2025, or in any other events for the rest of the year, citing ongoing injury challenges.

In a candid post on social media, the 22-year-old sprinter expressed her disappointment over a season marked by injuries and setbacks. She stated, “This season has tested me in more ways than I ever anticipated. Lingering injuries & continuous setbacks made it increasingly difficult to train & perform at the level I expect from myself.” She added that she would take time to heal and recover, aiming to return stronger next season.

O’Sullivan, who won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics, raised concerns about the clarity of Adeleke’s announcement. Writing in her column for the Irish Times, O’Sullivan remarked, “My first concern for Rhasidat Adeleke right now is that she’s not being entirely open or honest.” She emphasized the importance of transparency, noting that Adeleke’s statement seemed disconnected from her management team and coach.

The veteran athlete pointed out the oddity of Adeleke making such an announcement through social media, suggesting that it did not adequately address the situation surrounding her withdrawal. O’Sullivan stated, “Adeleke is one of Ireland’s most recognised and popular athletes, and I don’t think putting out a vague message on social media was the best way to deal with her withdrawal from the World Championships.”

Adeleke will celebrate her 23rd birthday next month, and O’Sullivan acknowledged that setbacks are a natural part of an athlete’s career. Up until this point, Adeleke had enjoyed a remarkable rise in her sport, achieving an NCAA 400m title while studying at the University of Texas and consistently breaking national records. However, her performance this year has declined, with her best time of 49.07 seconds, achieved during the previous year’s Indoor European Championships, remaining unchallenged. Her recent outings resulted in times of 50.42, 50.48, and 51.3 seconds, culminating in her withdrawal from a Diamond League meeting in Monaco in July.

The World Championships represent a pivotal event in the athletics calendar, and Adeleke’s absence raises questions about her readiness for future competitions. As she takes this time to recover, the athletics community will undoubtedly be watching her next steps closely.