Mona McSharry's triumph in the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics is a landmark achievement for Irish swimming, ending a nearly three decade long medal drought. Her path to the Olympic podium is a story of determination and relentless improvement.
McSharry deservedly claimed a brilliant bronze medal in Monday night’s final, clocking a time of 1:05.59. She finished just 0.01 seconds ahead of Benedetta Pilato from Italy and Lilly King, the world record holder from the US, who both recorded times of 1:05.60, thus sharing fourth place.
Her podium finish placed her alongside South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker, the Olympic record holder who won breaststroke gold and silver in Tokyo three years ago. Schoenmaker captured gold with a time of 1:05.28.
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China’s world champion, Tang Qianting, followed Schoenmaker, securing silver with a time of 1:05.54.
McSharry first made waves in the international swimming scene as a teenager. At just 15, she missed qualifying for the Rio Olympics by less than a second. However, she quickly established herself as a rising star. At 16, she claimed the European Junior Championship in the 50m breaststroke, and soon after her 17th birthday, she won the World Junior Championship in the 100m breaststroke, signaling her potential on the global stage.
In 2021, McSharry added another global gold to her collection in the 100m breaststroke, only five months after making her Olympic debut in Tokyo, where she finished eighth in the final. Later that year, she also earned a bronze medal at the World Short Course Championships.
Her journey to the Paris Olympics was marked by record-breaking performances. Last summer, McSharry set a new Irish record at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, securing her spot in the Olympics. She continued to break her own records, swimming a time of 1:05.51 in the Paris semi-finals, making her the second-fastest qualifier for the final.
Hailing from Grange, a village in North Sligo, McSharry began her swimming career with the Ballyshannon Marlins Swimming Club. She also holds the Irish record in the 200m breaststroke and is set to compete in this event, as well as the 400m medley relay, in Paris.
McSharry's remarkable journey from a promising young swimmer to an Olympic medalist highlights her dedication, talent, and the significant strides she has made for Irish swimming on the international stage.
Mona McSharry's Olympic journey has been as much about personal resilience as it has been about athletic achievements. The path to her recent success was not without its challenges. Following her bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke at the 2021 World Championships, McSharry found herself struggling with her passion for swimming. Despite her incrdible achievements, the burden of constant training and isolation began to weigh heavily on her. She recounted a particularly tough moment during the summer when she was living alone and training.
Instead of seeking professional help, McSharry turned to those closest to her for support. She found solace and clarity in confiding in her trusted friends. This period of introspection and support helped McSharry reconnect with her love for the sport, ultimately leading to her historic achievement at the Paris Olympics.
Although McSharry’s race resulted in the utmost success, it was far from ideal for the young swimmer. She told RTÉ reporters after the final that “it was not a perfect race,” revealing that her goggles had filled with water as soon as she dived into the pool.
Expressing her gratitude, McSharry thanked everyone who helped her reach the pinnacle of her sport, making special mention of her family, friends, and community. She highlighted the inspiration her Olympic medal can provide to young girls, telling RTÉ Sport, “I was a little girl from a tiny village, and I still am that little girl from Sligo and I was able to win an Olympic medal at the Olympics. So just goes to show, you can do anything you set your mind to.”
