Mona McSharry has won Ireland’s first medal of the Games.
Ireland’s Mona McSharry has won a Bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke at the Olympics, winning the country’s first Olympic swimming medal in 28 years.
The 23-year-old from Sligo swam the final at Paris La Defense Arena with a time of 1:05.59.
She finished just behind China’s Tang Qianting, who took silver with a time of 1:05.54, and South Africa’s Tatjana Smith, who won gold with a time of 1:05.28.
Speaking after the final, Mona McSharry said it felt unbelievable to receive her bronze medal.
The swimmer couldn’t help but cry tears of joy after receiving her medal.
Shona reflected on how far she has come since she was a young girl.
“I still am that little girl from Sligo and I was able to win a medal at the Olympics.
“It shows you can do anything you can put your mind to it.”
In the semi-final, McSharry achieved a personal best of 1:05.51, surpassing two-time Olympic gold medalist Lilly King, who finished tied for fourth in the final.
McSharry had stated before the event that her goal in Paris was to win a medal, and she achieved that aim in Paris on Monday night.
Michelle Smith at the Atlanta Games in 1996 was the last Irish swimmer to win a medal at the Olympics.
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