SWIMMER Mona McSherry has won Ireland’s first medal at the Paris Olympics.
The 23-year-old took Bronze last night in the women's 100m breaststroke final, which was won by South Africa's Tatjana Smith and saw China’s Tang Qianting take second place.
Bronze medallist Mona McSharry of Team Ireland, right, with gold medallist Tatjana Smith of Team South AfricaSligo born McSharry, who hails from Grange, is the first Irish athlete to win an Olympic medal in swimming since Michelle Smith won four medals in Atlanta in 1996.
Mona McSharry claims 'dreams can come true'Following her result, the 23-year-old said she couldn’t “ask for anything more than winning a medal at the Olympics”.
"I'm not even sure that was really something that little me dreaming of going to the Olympics thought was possible,” she added.
"I've kept pushing and that's what I've been training for all year, to be top three and dreams do come true."
Bronze Medalist Mona McSharry poses with the national flag following the swimming medal ceremony after the Women’s 100m Breaststroke Final on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024Congratulating the swimmer on her performance, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “That was magic from Mona McSharry!
“Unbelievable turn and technique at the halfway point and what a battle to the end to claim Team Ireland’s first medal.”
McSharry has won Ireland's first medal of the tournamentPresident Michael D Higgins also shared his delight, stating: “Congratulations to Mona McSharry on her wonderful achievement in winning an Olympic bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke."
