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Rhasidat Adeleke advanced to the final of the Women’s 400m in the Stade de France tonight. In doing so the Tallaght athlete makes history by becoming the first Irish female sprinter ever to qualify for an Olympic final.

Adeleke, who was racing in the first of three semi-finals tonight, clocked a time of 49.95 seconds to finish second behind Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain in a seasons best of 49.08.

21-year-old Adeleke will now look ahead to Friday’s final where she knows that she has room for improvement.

“It was very messy, a very messy race. I’m just really excited that I’m able to get into the final, and fix everything for what I need” she said.

“At first he [the starter] held us really long, I think I was ready to go then but when we went again I feel like I was thinking about it too much, and I didn’t execute my first 200m like I should have. 

“They are all things we can fix for the final. I think I also panicked a little bit which made me break form really early but, no, I’m excited. I’ve made the final – now I can give it my best shot.

“I’ve been in a place where the round may not have went as I wanted it to, but the final went great so I’m not too worried about it.”

Adeleke was given the loudest cheer of all when introduced pre-race and praised the support. “It was unreal again today, when I got into the blocks I was like ‘let’s do this’ and hopefully it’s going to be the same for the final, I’m sure it will be. I’m so grateful to everyone – it means so much.”

Sarah Lavin and Mark English impressed by securing semi-final qualification for their respective events on day twelve of the Olympic Games in Paris.

Racing in the fourth of five heats in the Women’s 100m Hurdles Lavin, who was one of the Team Ireland flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony, finished second in 12.73 seconds to secure automatic qualification for the semi-finals which takes place on Friday morning.

The Limerick woman from Emerald AC, who is competing at her second Games, is looking forward to returning to the track.

“I think you have to risk it for the biscuit – making that final, it’s not beyond me, judging by the times this morning. I’ll have to be absolutely firing on all cylinders,” she said.

Mark English meanwhile used all of his experience to execute his race to perfection to finish second in his heat of the Men’s 800m to advance. The Donegal man from Finn Valley AC pulled away from the chasers in the closing fifty metres to cross the line right alongside home favourite Gabriel Tual of France in 1:45.15.

“The plan worked out, I’m delighted to be in the semi-final. I wanted to be in contention at 400m and 600m and I managed to do that. I’m delighted to come through that without having to navigate too much and getting a clean enough ride through,” he said.

There was disappointment however for both Sophie O’Sullivan and Sarah Healy in the repechage round of the Women’s 1500m, who both finished fourth missing the semi-final by one spot.

O’Sullivan, who ran a personal best yesterday, ran a time of 4:03.73 today. Speaking afterwards she was proud of her Olympic debut.

“It’s been great. The experience was great and getting out there was so much fun. I would’ve loved to do it one more time but twice is good, its more than you’d usually get if you were knocked out in the first round,” she said.

Healy, who is now a double Olympian, crossed the line in 4:07.60.

“I just really didn’t feel like I have what I normally have. I don’t really feel like myself the last few days, something is a bit off and I’m not sure what. I don’t know if it’s physical or mental,” she said.

Brian Fay placed 13th in his heat of the Men’s 5000m in a time of 13:55.35. The Dubliner becomes Ireland’s first quadruplet to compete at the Olympic Games and is determined for more.

“I ran it as well as I could have but to call a spade a spade I’m just not good enough at the minute to really have that strong finish. I don’t think I’m that far off it. I’ll get it right eventually. I just need to keep showing up,” he said.