Rhasidat Adeleke claims first-ever Diamond League win after scorching run in Monaco

That brought her home well clear of Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands, who clocked 49.64 in second, with US champion Kendall Ellis third in 50.39.

Adeleke ran head to head with Klaver – who she has clashed with multiple times this year – as they rounded the last turn but the Dubliner was by far the stronger coming home, clocking the second fastest time of her career and her quickest ever outside of a major championship.

Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 12th July

“It felt really good, a controlled run, very smooth,” said Adeleke. “I’m really happy how that went. I think I’m in the right spot for the rest of the season.”

Adeleke will have one more race before the Paris Olympics – at the London Diamond League next weekend. This was her first 400m since the European final a little over a month ago in Rome, where she broke the Irish record with 49.07, the second fastest time by a European this century.

“Honestly, let’s keep training, stay focused, stay grounded and do what my coach told me to do,” she said of her plans for the weeks ahead. “Keep on top of everything, all the little one percentages that make up the rest of 100% towards a good performance. I just need to make sure I stay focused and all eyes on the Olympics.”

Adeleke said a medal is “absolutely” the goal in Paris. “I think I’m well capable and my coaches have me ready to be able to peak at the right time,” she said. “So hopefully I’ll be there when it matters.”

There were worrying signs, however, for Ciara Mageean, the European 1500m champion well off the pace in the 2000m and coming home a detached 10th in 5:43.06. Australia’s Jessica Hull continued her astonishing run of form by breaking the world record with 5:19.70.

Earlier in the night, USA’s Rai Benjamin came out on top in a thrilling three-way showdown in the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking 46.67 to beat Olympic champion Karsten Warholm (46.73) to the line, with 2022 world champion Alison Dos Santos of Brazil third in 47.18.

Meanwhile at the Morton Games in Dublin, Sarah Lavin continued her winning ways, taking victory in the 100m hurdles in 12.82 (-0.7m/s) ahead of Liberia’s Ebony Morrison (12.92).

“You’re never going to have the perfect race, but I got out a lot better,” said Lavin. “They are fast girls, they didn’t make it easy for me but it was great to get the win. I’ll do one more in Luxembourg on the 21st and then it’s straight into camp. I’m training hard at the moment, taking every day as it comes and using these opportunities to correct things under pressure. We’re 26 days out now and every single one of them counts.”

Israel Olatunde and fellow Irishman Bori Akinola finished fifth and sixth respectively in the men’s 100m, both men clocking 10.49 in a race won by USA’s Coby Hilton in 10.30.