There is plenty of Olympic action to report on and here at HerSport we will continue to keep you updated with all the latest happenings over the coming weeks.
In the last 24 hours Mona McSharry made history in swimming, Carolyn Hayes picked up 23rd in the women’s triathlon and Annalise Murphy is growing into the laser radial.
Swimming
The first Irish swimmer to make it into an Olympic final in 25 years, Sligo’s Mona McSharry had already exceeded expectations upon this morning’s 3:17am 100m Breastroke conclusion.
A time of 1:06.94 seconds closed out the 20 year old’s swim from lane eight of the Tokyo Aquatic centre, securing her eight place in the event overall.
Cool as a breeze. Mona McSharry all smiles ahead of her Olympic final. Coming up at 3.15am Irish time @RTEsport pic.twitter.com/zmryeWrZ1v
— Paul O'Flynn (@OFlynnPaul) July 27, 2021
Starting fast out of the blocks as she brought a 31.68 seconds to the 50m mark, the turn appeared to slightly dimmed the bright start as she finished out the race two seconds behind the American Lydia Jacoby’s winning time of 1:04.95 seconds.
For the first contest in her inaugural Olympics, the Grange swimmer commented on the “amazing” experience.
“When you think about it like that, 25 years and there hasn’t been anyone else, I think it puts it into perspective,” she says.
“Racing in it, it’s just another final but it really is a lot more than that. It’s really nice to hear that and just makes me feel so proud that I made it there.”
Ireland's first Olympic swim finalist in 25 years speaking to the Irish media after finishing 8th in the 100m breaststroke ☘️ pic.twitter.com/X70GnmoKMF
— Carla Reynolds (@Carla_Reynolds) July 27, 2021
“Anything sub 1:07 is a good race in my mind so I’m happy with the race. Of course it wasn’t a PB and it was the slowest of the three rounds but that comes as well from there being a sense of relief making it to the final.”
“I was kind of just excited to go out and race and see what would happen. The worst that could happen was that I could finish eighth at the Olympics and that’s what happened and honestly that’s not a bad result for my first event.”
While many onlookers are already looking to Paris 2024 for the young competitor, McSharry isn’t finished with Tokyo just yet. Back in action in the 200m Breastroke on Wednesday she is “excited to lash it out” again and is “just going to see what happens.”
“You know, it’s not my main event so I think there’s a bit more relaxation” she says.
“Originally it was just an extra event and I think it meant a lot more to me before I made the semis and finals because if I had just swam the 100m heats it would have been nice to do, and it’s still nice to do, but I think I’m just going to go out and enjoy it.”
"I think I put in a good fight. I'm happy to come away from my first ever Olympics with an eighth place. It's really not that bad..." - Mona McSharry reflects on her first Olympic final pic.twitter.com/PVAzc8kTqr
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 27, 2021
Triathlon
Carolyn Hayes of Ireland, centre, in action during the Women's Triathlon at the Odaiba Marine Park during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
📸 @SportsfileSteve https://t.co/mBbpexZvh5#Tokyo2020 #rteOlympics #OlympicGames #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/XMH6wvcDM5— sportsfile (@sportsfile) July 26, 2021
33-year-old Carolyn Hayes also made her Olympic debut last night, producing an impressive 23rd place in the women’s triathlon in Odaiba Marine Park.
With weather having delayed the course, Hayes posted a time of 2:02:10 upon crossing the line, with the run the most poignant facet of her race as she saw the 10th fastest time of the entire field throughout her 10km.
Emerging from the swim in 41st position she clawed her way back to the front of the pack in the cycling segment before surpassing five more athletes during the run.
The Limerick star completed the ordeal just six-and-a-half minutes behind outright winner Flora Duffy, who secured Bermuda’s first ever gold medal at the Games with the triumph.
Remarking she was “happy enough” with the result, Hayes says she “came for a better result but given where [she] came from the last few years [she has] to be happy with it.”
“The Olympics is the pinnacle of sport and I always hoped I’d get here, I probably didn’t believe I would. It’s a bit surreal” she says.
“The phone has been inundated with messages and it means an awful lot… I want to say a big thank you to my parents and my family, without them I wouldn’t be here today.”
"I'm used to punches, I played water polo before, but out there, it's a totally different ball game..." - Carolyn Hayes reflects on finishing 23rd in the triathlon in Tokyo. #RTEsport pic.twitter.com/EPJs3fFe5p
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 27, 2021
Sailing
Race five and six for Annalise Murphy in the women’s laser radial were her best outings to date in this year’s Games as she placed ninth and tenth at this the mid-way point of the series.
The Rio silver medallist battled the tough conditions to ensure she finished the day 20th overall in what was a big shift in the regatta after a tough first couple of day’s for the Rathfarnham sailor.
Wooo! A 10th in race 6 - these conditions are super tricky and we’re going to see a LOT of movement on the leaderboard - Annalise sailed 2 great races today and if she keeps improving like this she’ll be well set for the last 4 races of the series! Now bedtime + full update later pic.twitter.com/YJ9XOYhLVd
— Annalise Murphy (@Annalise_Murphy) July 27, 2021
