Irish sprint star Rhasidat Adeleke has revealed why she, Julien Alfred, and their coach, Edrick Floreal, declined an invitation to join Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) League, set to debut in 2025.
Despite its promise of lucrative contracts and top-tier athletes like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas already on board, Adeleke confirmed in an interview with irishexaminer.com that her team opted out. “Just didn’t see a fit for us,” Adeleke said, adding that Coach Floreal “had his reasons.”
Floreal, who trains elite athletes including Julien Alfred, British star Dina Asher-Smith, and Adeleke herself, also serves as head coach at the University of Texas. His decision to pass on the GST League aligns with the team’s focus on their current training and competition schedules.
Adeleke, one of Ireland’s top athletes, had a record-breaking season, securing six national records individually and contributing to six more in relays. She claimed three medals at the European Championships in Rome and narrowly missed the podium at both the World Championships and the Paris Olympics.
Looking ahead, the 400m specialist plans to prioritize the outdoor season in 2024, skipping the European and World Indoor Championships in March. However, she hinted at competing in “one or two” indoor races in the U.S. as part of her preparation.
Reflecting on her recent performances, Adeleke remains optimistic: “I learned a lot of things I’m going to be able to take into next season. I’d rather learn these lessons now than make mistakes when I’m supposed to be at my peak.”
With her sights set on future medal opportunities, Adeleke continues to solidify her position as one of the sport’s rising stars.
