Róisín Ní Riain continues to shine in the City of Light, adding a second medal to her Paris 2024 campaign. The Limerick native won a magical Paralympic bronze in the final of the women’s SM13 200m Individual Medley on day six of the 2024 Paralympic Games.
In doing so, the 19-year-old claims Team Ireland’s third medal at these Games.
Ní Riain showed her class throughout, sitting comfortably in fourth position for the first three strokes before blazing through the La Défense water for the last 50-metres to come home in third place with a time of 2:27.47, winning the second Paralympic medal of her career.
Italian Carlotta Gilli won gold in 2:25.33, with Team USA’s Olivia Chambers taking silver in 2:25.90.
Speaking after the race, Ní Riain said: “I would say with that one, that’s a final swim. I’ve been on the wrong side of the IM touches now for the last three years, so to be able to come out and finally get on the right side of a touch, I couldn’t be happier. I’m delighted with that. You know, the Medley is kind of what I train for at home, day in, day out. It’s the Medley work that I’m doing, temporary of all my strokes, but ultimately for this IM swim.
I’ve been stuck on the same time and fourths for a long time now, so it’s nice to be able to crack a third. It was a pretty solid swim this morning, and it was really just to be able to build on that swim. I had a couple of technical things to work on, of which I may or may not have done. Still have to go back and rewatch it, sit down like we do all the time, and it was a good swim, but there’s definitely areas to improve like always.”
Speaking on the support in the stadium as well as her coach John Szaranek, she added: “The Irish supporters are lovely. For them to be here and to see me win a medal, it’s as much for them as it is for me. And to have my coach here as well, John, who’s been with me for the last good few years now, that’s really great to do with him here as well.
And he’s been my support along with my group and my centre (National Centre Limerick) back at home as well. They’ve been excellent. We have a really great group; they spur me on every single day to be the best that I can be in training and competition. I have my coach John here with me, it really means a lot to have him here and his support, and all my coaches back home.”
Earlier this evening, Dearbhaile Brady and Nicole Turner headed to the blocks for the 50m Butterfly S6 Final, both competing in finals for the second time at Paris 2024. Both athletes kept with the pack throughout the race with Brady going quicker than her morning swim (38.73) to set a new lifetime best of 37.67, finishing fifth at her first Paralympic Games.
Turner, who won silver in this event at Tokyo 2020, was in contention throughout the race but was unable to maintain her challenge against a world class field. Turner stopped the clock on 38.59 to finish sixth, both Turner and Brady concluded their Paris 2024 campaign.
Speaking in the mixed-zone, Brady said: “That went really well, that was a PB for me, so I’m delighted with that. I’m a lot faster than I was last year, that’s how much I’ve changed. I wasn’t too nervous. I decided it’s the final and I didn’t know what was going to happen, so I went out to enjoy it. I’m really happy how I finished.”
Turner said: “If I’m honest I just wanted to go out and enjoy that race, I did it, but I think the last couple of metres I just didn’t have it in me. The podium would have been nice today, but it just didn’t happen. I planned to get quicker off the block, and I didn’t feel that bad, but I’ve worked so hard to be here and for that I’m delighted to be in Paris, not everyone gets the opportunity to compete at a Paralympics Games.”
Barry McClement’s was back on the blocks this evening for the 100m Backstroke S9 Final, pitting himself against fierce competition. Which included the gold, silver and bronze medallists from Tokyo 2020, a World Record holder and French star Ugo Didier, who was welcomed to stage to a deafening cheer.
McClement’s, who is part of the National Centre (Ulster) programme under his coach Kevin Anderson,posted a time of 1:50.56 to finish in eighth place, in his second Paralympic Games.
Speaking directly after his race, McClements said: “My turn wasn’t great at the halfway point, if that had been fixed it might have been a different result, but it was a quick fast race, and I enjoyed it. It wasn’t my main event, so I just concentrated on having a good swim and enjoying it. It was great to hear my family and friends cheering me on in the stands.”
McClements will be back in the water on Friday for his favoured event, the 100m Butterfly (S9).
Results – Day 6, 3rd September
Barry McClements – Men’s 100m Backstroke S9: Heat 1:05.36 (8th), Final 1:05.56
Dearbhaile Brady – Women’s 50m Butterfly S6: Heat 38.73 (6th), Final 37.67 PB (5th)
Nicole Turner – Women’s 50m Butterfly S6: Heat 38.10 (5th), Final 38.59 (6th)
Róisín Ní Riain – Women’s 200m SM13 Medley: Heat 2:30.75 (3rd), Final 2:27.47 (3rd)
Schedule – Day 8, 5th September
Róisín Ní Riain – Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB 13
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