After helping lift a nation earlier in the week, Ellen Walshe was back in the pool at the Paris Le Défense on Friday morning for the 200m Individual Medley.
The Templeogue swimmer had time to rest and recover ahead of the 200m Individual Medley event following her stunning performance in the 400m Individual Medley earlier in the week, where she finished seventh in the final, becoming Ireland’s third-ever Olympic swimming finalist.
This morning, Walshe clocked 2:11.81 to finish sixth in her heat and 15th overall, qualifying for tonight’s semi-final with her third-fastest-ever time.
The 22-year-old, who holds the Irish Senior Record in this event, spoke after the race, “I’m delighted to scrape in there; it’s a stacked event. I was sitting in the call room and there were a ton of them on 2:11 (entry time). I knew it was going to have to be a big swim this morning. I’m delighted to come back and race again tonight.”
The two-time Olympian added, “It’s probably one of the most stacked events for the women here; everyone is nearly on the same level. It’s going to be a great race tonight, and it’s anyone’s game to be top-8. I’m delighted to go out there again tonight for the semi-final and hopefully do something a little bit better than this morning.”
Speaking on the success of the swim team this week, Walshe said, “I’m rooming with an Olympic bronze medallist; it’s absolutely mad. It was a privilege to be there to watch both of the races. We could not ask for more from the team. Everyone who has raced individually has gotten a second swim, which just shows its progress the whole way through, not just at the top. We have all brought each other through this week, and we’re not finished yet. It’s extremely exciting where Irish swimming is at the moment.”
The Dubliner will return to the pool for the second semi-final set to get underway at 8:31 pm (IRL).
Results:
Women 200m IM Ellen Walshe 2:11.81 (15th)
Friday 2nd August Schedule
Women 200m IM Semi-Final Ellen Walshe 20.31
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