The Tipperary sprinter told fans how she was “heartbroken” after being denied the chance to compete in her first global final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this month.

In a decision blasted as “bullsh*t” by sports commentators, the 25-year-old was disqualified for obstructing Susanne Gogl-Walli in the semi-final following an appeal by the Austrian.

But Sharlene reveals she’s left the controversy in the past as she concentrates on chasing summer Olympics glory.

“I think if this had happened me two years ago, I would have still probably been crying and not able to find my feet again, but to be able to bounce back as quickly as I have shows that I have really a lot of mental strength,” says the athlete, who alongside teammates Roisin Harrison, Phil Healy and Sophie Becker went on to set a new national record in the 400m relay race at the Glasgow event.

“I think I’m in a much better place mentally than I have been in the past few years, and working with my sports psychologist and things like that have really helped.

“I haven’t had much time to reflect on it, but it was so great that I had the relay just literally the next day because I got up for relay training with the girls. I wasn’t going to but I was like, ‘Just let me get it over with’, and yeah, it was amazing to step back on the track.”

UL speedster Sharlene has buoyed Ireland’s Olympic hopes after clocking the fastest split in the ‘comeback’ race.

Ahead of the Games however, she admits she’s still getting used to the fame that goes along with sporting greatness.

“I don’t pay much heed of it, to be honest. I just try and keep the head down, put the hard work in, and whatever happens after that happens. If it’s a positive for the sport, that’s amazing. It just shows that if I can do it, anyone can do it.

“Women in sport at the moment are paving a great pathway for what’s to come in the future.

“When I was younger I just thought it was really cool to be faster than someone else. Just to beat someone in a race, I thought that was pretty cool.

“It’s amazing to see how many people are [not only] coming into athletics, but all other sports, even people [doing] Couch to 5ks, things like that. Like, it’s unreal. I would love if I was one of those people who would willingly go out and run a 5k [for fun], but unfortunately I’m not,” she laughs. “I’m a really competitive person, so I love the thrill of being in a really competitive environment.”

The glamorous sportswoman laced up alongside fellow legend-in-the-making Nick Griggs to promote the new high-performance Puma Velocity Nitro 3 runner at Intersport Elverys.

And she explains why she always looks so picture-perfect even while pounding the pavement.

“I guess for me it’s: look good, run good, feel good,” Sharlene shrugs. “I think that’s a factor that I take in.

“Even when I step out onto the track, my hair and makeup is done, I’m wearing nice kit — that’s what makes me feel good, so why not do it?

“With the Puma clothes, I don’t even have to think twice, I just naturally look very fashionable.

The kit is just second to none, it’s bright colours, it’s gorgeous, people are complimenting me on it all the time and, of course, that makes me feel good, so you’re always going to have a good session.”

Just 19, Tyrone athlete Nick is also manifesting a spot on the podium in Paris, even if it means missing out on normal college life like his school pals.

“It is tough, especially the age I’m at now, it’s kind of like that peak age, you’re kind of missing out on stuff at uni,” admits the long-distance runner, who helped lead Ireland to team gold at the European Cross Country Championships in December. “But I think it’s just the sacrifice you have to make.

“When you’re racing, there is a time and a place for all that [party] stuff, it’s just very limited, and I’m fine with that. I like to be very disciplined. You know what you’re getting yourself into when you go into this line of work. It’s just one of those things you have to do — you can’t really complain about it.”

The U-20 superstar is now bidding to build on a glittering 2023 with the support of sponsors including Puma.

“The Olympics is probably the main big one. I’m about two and half seconds off the standard now, and that was from last year, so I think if I get in the right race, I can get that qualifying standard,” he says.

“I know what I want to do so it’s about putting that hard work in.

“Obviously coming out of school this year, I’m not in uni, I took a gap year, so the support I’m getting from Puma and other companies just means that my head is completely in the game.

“It does make it easier. Even when I was in school, doing my A-Levels which are obviously tough, it meant I didn’t have to get a part-time job. Running’s more or less my job — it’s very nice.”

Beginners, on the other hand, are best to take baby steps while following in the athletes’ footsteps by getting active this summer, according to Irish running coach Kevin English.

“Probably the biggest mistake people [make] is they go out and they run too fast. I would always say to people, keep it simple. You should be able to hold a conversation, if you’re not able to hold a conversation, you’re running too fast.

“Obviously footwear is massive. I find a lot of people go, ‘I’ll wait till I get to a certain distance before I reward myself’. I do be saying to them, ‘Well, you’re going to get injured if you don’t have the correct footwear’, hence why it’s important to come to Elverys or somewhere to get your gait analysis done — see what shoe suits you.”

And lacing up is as much for the mind as the body, reckons ambassador Sharlene: “I don’t think there’s ever been a day that I went training and I felt worse. I always feel way better for getting it done.

“I think it’s just the discipline of getting out, getting the work done. Even when I would be like to my mam, ‘Come on, let’s go for a walk’, and she always feels better after it.

“It’s just small things like that.”