DROMBANNA’S Róisín Ní Ríain is again in action at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this Thursday morning.
The teenager, who delivered for Team Ireland its first medal with a superb second place finish in the 100m Backstroke final at the weekend and followed this up with a remarkable third position in the 200m Individual Medley (IM) on Tuesday, competes in the heats of the 100m Breaststroke at 9.55am at the La Defense Arena.
If Ní Ríain comes through, the final is listed for 6.20pm this Thursday evening.
Friday’s 100m Backstroke final was won by world record holder Gia Pergolini (USA), with Italy’s Carlotta Gilli in third position.
Ní Ríain stormed to second place in a time of 1:07.27 to claim her maiden Paralympic medal, in what is already an impressive career, which includes a World Championship gold in the same event.
Said the medal winner: “Everyone says to me how much I love racing and I really genuinely do. It’s what I love to do.”
On Tuesday, Ní Ríain swam a terrific last leg, overtaking Uzbekistan’s Shokhsanamkhon Toshpulatova down the stretch to touch the wall in third place in a time of 2:27.47.
Italian Carlotta Gilli won gold, with Team USA’s Olivia Chambers taking silver.
“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,” Ní Ríain reflected.
Ahead of her podium positions, she was also a finalist in the 100m Butterfly discipline.
Ní Ríain is coached by John Szaranek at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, University of Limerick.
Meanwhile, Tiarnán O’Donnell of Boher and Galway partner Katie O’Brien finished second in the B Final of the Mixed Double Sculls.
Jodie Waite of Rathbane was involved with Team GB in Wheelchair Basketball at the Games.
