What a month it has been for Rhasidat Adeleke who has not only recorded a very impressive time at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas but also graduated from university.
The Irish athlete, 21, earned a degree in Corporate Communications from the University of Texas at Austin this week and actually graduated early after taking extra classes.
Rhasidat was joined by her mum Ade, brother Abdullahi, and sister Latifah at graduation and shared several pictures from the celebrations.
‘“What starts here changes the world” couldn’t be any more fitting. An opportunity that elevated and enriched my world in several ways, from the lifelong friends I made to the opportunities & knowledge I obtained,' she wrote on Instagram.
She continued: 'I could write a book describing the joy I've experienced whilst being a student and athlete at Texas. However, to keep things short… I couldn’t have made a better choice.'
Speaking about her university experience and plans for the future with the Irish Times, Rhasidat said that she was actually supposed to graduate in December but took more classes so she could finish early.
Looking ahead, she said: ’It is equally important [earning a degree], track isn’t going to last forever, being able to continue being successful elsewhere, post track, is definitely my goal.'
The graduation, which involved a week of events, came soon after the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas which saw Rhasidat’s 400 metres split time (48.45 seconds) in the mixed relay become the fastest ever recorded at the World Relays.
With this achievement secured, Rhasidat is now looking towards the Olympics and she will have to balance relay commitments with her own hopes to secure a 400m medal as the timetabling is looking tight.
Rhasidat told the Irish Examiner: ‘It probably is going to be a little bit difficult. I know there are going to be rounds for each, but I don't know.
'Myself and my coach [Edrick Floréal] haven't really spoken about that.’ If anyone can make it work, it’s Rhasidat!
