“Lingering injuries & continuous setbacks made it increasingly difficult to train & perform at the level I expect from myself. Following yet another recent roadblock, I’m saddened to share that I’m unable to finish out this season.” It wasn’t a single fall or dramatic injury that sidelined her, but the slow toll of burnout. After a marathon 2024 season of 26 races, mostly 400m and relays, her body simply ran out of fuel. Adeleke herself spoke of “lingering injuries” and chose not to take the risk. It happens, especially in a post-Olympic year. Still, not everyone agrees with her call. Sonia O’Sullivan, for one, has voiced strong criticism.

Former world champion Sonia O’Sullivan wrote that Adeleke was “not being entirely open or honest” and that she thought the Dubliner had made “bad decisions” this year. She said, “Maybe another option for Tokyo would have been to just focus on the relay when she realised her individual 400m aspirations weren’t working out. If she had the right mindset. That makes you realise, too, the relay will never be a high priority for her.” O’Sullivan’s criticism may come from Adeleke’s strong relay form this year. She split 50.78 at the Texas Relays to help her team win, then 50.38 in World Relays as Ireland topped their heat.

But her coach has been quick to defend her against the Olympic silver medalist’s remarks. Edrick Floreal, who has coached her since 2021 at the University of Texas, had a very simple response. “She is honestly injured and cannot compete at a world-class level,” he wrote in a text message as reported by the Irish Independent. So even the 4x400m is not an option. Her performance has been a testament to her struggle.

The championships don’t start until September 13, but she hasn’t raced since July 19, when she finished fourth in the 200m in London. 400m has not been going for her this season as well.

She’s lined up three times. In Oslo, she ran 50.42 for fourth place. Then, just a few nights later in Stockholm, she faded in the closing stages and came sixth in 50.48. After that, at Prefontaine Classic, she faced another fourth-place finish, this time in 51.33.

But O’Sullivan’s comments also came as a surprise because she has been one of the loudest supporters Adeleke has had in the past years.

Sonia O’Sullivan has supported Rhasidat Adeleke in the past

Back in 2024, Adeleke was lined up in the 400m finals in the European Championships. In that race, she broke the Irish record with a 49.07s run but ultimately settled for silver behind Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek (48.98). After the race, the Irish legend told her, “You learn from every race you run. You learn more from the races that you lose than the races that you win.” She didn’t finish there…

Sonia O’Sullivan also mentioned that while it would have been wonderful to celebrate Adeleke winning a third gold, taking silver might actually be more valuable in the long run, as it highlights there’s still progress to make, and gives her the time and motivation to achieve it.

And then in 2024, the Irish 400m runner was exposed to racial abuse on social media. Defending her, Sonia O’Sullivan called it a distraction.

She added, “So I think for Rhasidat, I think she obviously has moved on, and she’s realised that yeah, this is happening, but it’s not something I need to focus on. She is respected as a great athlete for Ireland, she is a central part of the Irish team, and she’s the heart and soul of Irish athletics right now.” A strong message from the legend indeed.

So, now, fans are not completely in support of the latest remarks on Adeleke. But what are your thoughts?