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Mona McSharry has won Ireland’s first medal of the Paris Olympics after taking bronze in the women’s 100m breaststroke.<\/b><\/p>\n
McSharry finished third in a tight final, which was won by South Africa’s Tatjana Smith with Tang Qianting second for China. <\/p>\n
The 23-year-old looked in shock as she checked the screen to see where she had finished, as her quiet confidence about securing a medal in Paris became a euphoric reality.<\/p>\n
“It’s amazing,” the Sligo swimmer told BBC Sport NI after winning Ireland’s first medal in the pool since the Atlanta Games in 1996. <\/p>\n
“It’s amazing to be part of a race with such tight competitors. To come out and watch the Irish flag being raised, and to be part of that atmosphere, was unbelievable. <\/p>\n
“It’s something I’m never going to forget.”<\/p>\n
McSharry still looked in disbelief as she stood on the podium some 20 minutes after the conclusion of her race as the Irish flags dominated the Parisian arena. <\/p>\n
After stepping off the rostrum, she ran to a group of Irish flags in the corner before taking some time to savour her historic moment.<\/p>\n
“You can’t really ask for anything more than winning a medal at the Olympics,” she added.<\/p>\n
“I’m not even sure that was really something that little me dreaming of going to the Olympics thought was possible. <\/p>\n
“I’ve kept pushing and that’s what I’ve been training for all year, to be top three and dreams do come true.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n