The morning after one of the most spectacular opening ceremonies in Paralympic Games history, Irish eyes turned once again to the La Défense Arena as Team Ireland Para swimmers took to the biggest stage of them to begin the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Just over two weeks ago, huge crowds packed the La Défense stands for the Olympic Games, creating an electric atmosphere and deafening noise. This morning showed no signs of an Olympic hangover as spectators turned up in droves to replicate the noise shown a fortnight ago.
The first of the Irish in the Paris La Défense water were S6 pair Nicole Turner (NAC) and Dearbhaile Brady (Limavady), both competing in heat two of the Women’s S6 50m Freestyle.
Turner, who is competing in her third Paralympic Games, went into this morning ranked fifth overall. The Portarlington woman was off the blocks quickly and maintained a fast start for the entire length of the Paris pool, clocking 35.55 to finish third in her heat and fifth overall, qualifying for this evening’s final.
Speaking after the race, Turner said: “I’m quite happy; it’s a nice opener. The crowd is a lot different from Tokyo, but it drives us on that extra bit. The time is just outside my personal best. The aim for this evening is to get closer to that, if not better.”
On her ambitions in Paris, Turner added: “I just want to enjoy myself. Tokyo was quite special for me, but it’s been a long three years. I’ve learned to enjoy the sport as serious as it is. I want to enjoy myself and see what happens after that.”
Swimming four lanes over was Turner’s Irish teammate, Dearbhaile Brady, making her first appearance on the Paralympic stage. The Derry swimmer posted a time of 36.45 to finish fifth in her heat and tenth overall. The 17-year-old set a new lifetime best, breaking her previous time of 36.76 set in May at the Irish Open National Championships in Dublin.
Brady, one of the youngest members of Team Ireland, said: “I’m really happy; it went well. It was a personal best. I came out today very nervous; I think it’s good to have them. With it being my first Games and first event, I was hoping to make the final, but it didn’t happen. I still have one more event, so I’m going to put my head down.”
Speaking on the support: “It was my dad’s birthday yesterday. He was in the crowd today along with my family watching me. It’s like a home crowd.”
The third and final Irish swimmer in the pool this morning was Róisín Ní Riain, who was competing in the Women’s S13 100m Butterfly, her first of four events at Paris 2024. The Limerick native posted 1:06.40 to finish fourth in her heat and fifth overall, qualifying for tonight’s final.
Speaking in the mixed zone, Ní Riain said: “I’m happy with that and to get out there for the first swim. It’s a good time, and I’m into the final, so its job done this morning. Whenever I get out to swim, I want to give my best for myself. Whatever happens after that, I’ll be happy with that. I was expecting it to be loud. I had a French girl in my heat, so I knew it was coming – it was nice.”
Turner will return to the blocks this evening for the S6 50m Freestyle Final at 6:19pm (IRL) in a stacked field that includes World Record holder Anna Hontar (Ukraine) and China’s Yuyan Jiang, who set a new Paralympic Record just this morning.
Ní Riain will also be back in the water for the S13 100m Butterfly Final, qualifying as the fifth fastest. The final is set to get underway at 7:15pm (IRL).
Results
Women’s 50m Freestyle S6 Heat: Nicole Turner, 35.35 (5th), Q, Dearbhaile Brady, 36.45 (PB) (10th), 2nd Reserve
Women’s 100m Butterfly S13 Heat: Róisín Ní Riain, 1:60.40 (5th)
Schedule
Women’s 50m Freestyle S6 Final (18:19 IRL) – Nicole Turner
Women’s 100m Butterfly S13 Final (19:15 IRL) – Róisín Ní Riain