Ireland has reached the final of the women’s 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

Ireland have qualified for the final of the women's 4x400m relay after an impressive third-place finish in their heat at the Stade de France.
Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory, and Sharlene Mawdsley represented Ireland in the event, with the top three in each of the two heats and the two next fastest teams qualifying for the final.
Ireland led the way for a significant stretch of the relay before Mawdsley sealed third in the final leg as they finished in a time of 3:25.05 behind heat winners Jamaica, who stopped the clock in 3:24.92, and the Netherlands (3:25.03).
Mawdsley's split of 49.65 was the fastest of any athlete in heat two.
Starting in lane eight, Becker (50.90) made a strong start, holding the lead just ahead of Jamaica before passing the baton to Healy (51.90).
The Cork woman kept Ireland in front but the Netherlands had caught up on the straight just before the changeover to McGrory (52.60).
McGrory kept Ireland in front of the Dutch and Jamaica in the early stages of her leg, but she faded on the home straight as Ireland slipped back to fourth.
Mawdsley ran the final leg and was on the shoulder of third-placed Canada before surging down the straight and almost pipping the Netherlands to second, her split of 49.74 seconds the second fastest of the 64 runners across both heats.
Ireland's time was the seventh fastest of the eight teams to progress to the final, with the United States topping the timesheet in 3:21.44.
The final is scheduled to take place at 8.14pm on Saturday night.

[@rodsnrounds]

I'm U.S. but I was pulling so hard for these gals to get a medal I was yelling at the TV. I know this sounds totally ignorant but I didn't even know Ireland had a team competing in the Olympics. Despite their obvious disappointment, I hope they enjoyed their experience.

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

So Close last night Dgw.

[@dannyanderson7025]

Brilliant well done ladies enjoy every minute. 🇮🇪 🇮🇪

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

Finger's Crossed Danny.

[@MrMac3737]

Well done ladies great athletes and beautiful too. Makes me proud to be Irish. If only MSM in Ireland gave you coverage you deserve 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

True Mr Mc.

[@bobbyaustria]

One word....wow

[@rowland5951]

Congratulations to the girls they will medal at worlds next year. Come back to this message when they do.

[@aredditor4272]

Annnnd once again, NBC only half covering the heats

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

I Would've shown the race but copyright so sorry about that.