Ellen Walshe concluded her individual competition at the Games in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley Semi-Final. Walshe, who became only Ireland’s third ever swimming finalist in the 400m IM earlier this week, swam her second fastest time ever, placing seventh in her heat and thirteenth overall in 2:11.35, just .43 off her Irish Record of 2:10.92.
Speaking after the race, the Templeogue swimmer said ‘I’m delighted to have gotten the experience to go out there again in the semi-final, it would have taken a massive swim for me to get back into the final and I probably just fall short of experience in the event, but yeah I’m delighted.’
She continued ‘This meet has been anything you ever could have dreamed of in terms of racing wise it’s been amazing to have an epic, savage crowd behind us, I feel like deep down with the times and stuff it’s a bit gutting that you can’t come here and swim your fastest lifetime best, but I guess sometimes with nerves it just doesn’t work out like that. So yeah, we’ll reflect on it, me and my coach, and hopefully next season brings something a bit more.’
The final morning of swimming at La Defense is a busy one, with nine of the twelve Irish swimmers in action.
800m Freestyle Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen returns for the heats of the 1500m Freestyle, his favoured event. Wiffen is ranked number two in the heats with his 2024 World Championships gold medal winning time of 14:34.07.
Paris 2024 Bronze medallist Mona McSharry is back in action in the 4x100m Medley Relay, joined by Danielle Hill, Walshe and Ireland’s youngest team member Grace Davison, who was selected via her 100m Freestyle split time in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay on the opening day of competition.
Looking ahead to the relay Walshe said ‘It’s going to be tough, we’ve tired legs coming into it, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to give it absolutely everything, delighted to get out there with the girls and it’s a lovely way to finish.’
Hill will also compete in the heats of the 50m Freestyle earlier in the morning, Ireland’s fastest ever female swimmer who was the first Irishwoman to break 25 seconds at the Irish Open in May, is entered in 24.68.
Conor Ferguson, Darragh Greene, Max McCusker and Shane Ryan will combine for the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay. Ferguson and McCusker will be making their Olympic debuts, Greene competes in his second Games, while Shane Ryan will become the first Irish man and only second ever swimmer to compete in three Olympic Games.
Results:
Women 200m IM Ellen Walshe H 2:11.81 (15th) SF 2:11.35 (13th)
Saturday 3rd August Schedule
Women 50m Freestyle Danielle Hill 10.00 (Heat 8/10)
Men 1500m Freestyle Daniel Wiffen 11.05 (Heat 3/4)
Men 4x100m Medley Relay Ireland 11.40 (Heat 2/2)
Conor Ferguson, Darragh Greene, Max McCusker, Shane Ryan
Women 4x100m Medley Relay Ireland 11.52 (Heat 2/2)
Danielle Hill, Mona McSharry, Ellen Walshe, Grace Davison
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