Lauren Cadden of Ireland after competing in the women’s 4x400m relay during day two of the World Athletics Relays at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas. Pic: Erik van Leeuwen/Sportsfile
Sligo AC’s Lauren Cadden was part of the Ireland women’s 4 x 400 metres relay team that finished seventh at the World Relay Final in The Bahamas on Monday morning.
It was a senior relay debut at a major international tournament for Cadden.
Cadden and Roisin Harrison were both selected for the final as both Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley ran for the mixed relay team in the final, winning bronze.
Phil Healy (Bandon AC), Roisin Harrison (Emerald AC), Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC) and Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC) combined to deliver another strong performance on Monday morning.
On Saturday night both teams qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games setting new national records in the process.
Phil Healy said: “It’s Lauren’s first relay debut at a major championships, that’s super for this squad, new and fresh talent coming onto the team.
“Seventh place, a little slower than yesterday, got our Olympic qualification and got experience for the girls today.”
Lauren told Athletics Ireland: “It was absolutely unreal. It’s my debut in a relay a major championships, my first 400 relay, I am new to the fours.
“As nervous as I was I wanted to soak it all in.
“I have these girls, and the subs, and the girls in the mixed team, they made it really easy and really relaxed me.
“The atmosphere was amazing, you forget the pain of a four and you bring it home. I just wanted to get the baton into her hand.”
Cadden wasn’t selected to run in the heat, and was called in to run in the final.
North Sligo’s Chris O’Donnell was included in the mixed relay squad but didn’t run in the heat or final.