My hero Johnny Fox helped get me on the winning track
Top Irish sprinter Adeleke’s tears for her ‘amazing’ athletics coach
I definitely appreciated him so much. He built me up so much RHASIDAT ADELEKE
TOP Irish sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke admits to having broken down in tears after hearing Tallaght Athletic Club legend Johnny Fox had died.
Adeleke may be one of the world’s foremost athletes and one of the favourites to take the gold in the 400m at the Paris Olympics this August.
But the Dubliner, 21, credits Fox as her primary mentor, a community stalwart who helped many thousands across different walks in his life, as the biggest influence on her career.
Adeleke said: “I’ve been reflecting over everything he has done for me, I definitely appreciated him so much.
“He was my first coach at Tallaght, maybe I was about as 12/13 years-old.
“He built me up so much, not just as an athlete but my characteristics as an individual as well. He was so wise, he has lived through many experiences and he shared those with me so I can learn from those experiences and not have to endure certain things myself.
“He just did so much for me, he would take me to practices and competitions if my mum was not available or working.”
Fox, who died on Sunday, was one of the founding members of Tallaght Athletic Club and was hugely associated with the Darkness into Light project.
Adeleke added: “He just invested in me so much and he saw my talent.
“And he just spoke to me and motivated me and made sure I would be on the right path, doing the best for myself.
“All of my major decisions such as me going to America, I spoke with him and he gave me the best advice.
“Turning professional, there was so many different things and many other things he was involved in in my life.
“He was very cheerful, he would always crack jokes and was always in a good mood. He was so passionate about track and field, so invested.
“He was volunteer for over 50 years at Tallaght and he was so invested in his athletes, making sure that they are progressing.
“He was just there for everyone, if you called him he would answer the phone making sure you were alright.
“If you were having a bad day he would put a smile on your face.
“He was just an amazing man and the whole community will tell you the same thing.” Adeleke sees the loss of
Fox as something that will be a big loss for the wider south Dublin area.
She added: “Everybody knew him in Tallaght and beyond, he just had so many projects he was doing to better the world and helping people he knew. And that was pretty much what he did every day.” The University of Texas student’s training is now geared towards the European Championships in Rome from June 7-12.
Coached by Flo-jo’s former coach Edrick Floreal and a designated Nike athlete, she has earned close to $1million between track and field meetings and sponsorships in the last year.