One of the standout moments from the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships was Ireland’s memorable victory in the mixed relay 4x400m.
And the man who set them on the way to glory, opening leg runner Christopher O'Donnell, features on the latest episode of Ignite, the mini documentary series on the European Athletics YouTube channel.
O’Donnell teamed up with Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley to set a new national record of 3:09.92, winning the first major ever gold medal for an Irish relay team at a major championship at the Stadio Olimpico.
To seize their golden moment, they had to get the better of the mighty Italy at home, a Belgian quartet including world indoor champion Alexander Doom, a Dutch foursome including Femke Bol and Great Britain, silver medallists at the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships.
It has been some journey for the Irish and O’Donnell takes viewers through the team’s progress to the Olympic Games onto becoming World Athletics Championships finallists and finally European champions.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics