THE 2016 PARALYMPIC Games is just around the corner with 4,500 athletes from all over the world ready to compete in Rio. Over the course of the next week, we’ll introduce the 48 members of Team Ireland…
The swimmers
Ellen Keane
Event: 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 100m breastroke, 200m indivdiual medley
Classification: S9/SB8
Age: 21
County: Dublin
She may only be 21 but this will be Ellen Keane’s third Paralympic Games. The swimmer from Clontarf made three finals in London but since became a three-time world bronze medallist. Keane is very much an all-rounder and will compete in four events in Rio.The Dubliner is currently studying Culinary Entrepreneurship in DIT and combines it with training six times a week at the NAC.
Ailbhe Kelly
Event: 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle
Classification: S8
Age: 17
County: Dublin
Ailbhe Kelly comes into her first Games on the back of a fine season which has seen her reach four finals at the European Championships and set five personal bests. She trains alongside team-mates Ellen Keane and James Scully at the NAC and will compete in three events in the pool.
James Scully
Event: 50/100/200m freestyle
Classification: S5
Age: 23
County: Meath
Another member of Team Ireland who is no stranger to this exalted stage. James Scully produced an incredible performance in London, finishing fifth at the age of 19, and will be hoping to improve that in Rio. The NUI Maynooth graduate has been training full-time in the build-up to the Games and has two international medals on his CV.
Nicole Turner
Event: 50/100/400m freestyle, 100m breastroke, 200m individual medley, 50m butterfly
Classification: S6
Age: 14
County: Laois
The youngest member of Team Ireland, Nicole Turner is a swimming sensation having burst onto the scene earlier this year. The 14-year-old reached six finals and won three medals at the European Championships in May and big things are expected of her next month.
Medal chances
Ireland are very fortunate to have four extremely talented swimmers going to Rio and hopes will be high that they can deliver a couple of medals throughout the meet. Ellen Keane is the headline act and she’s grown in stature enormously since London so will be considered as a genuine contender. But keep a close eye on Nicole Turner; who could be the story of this Games.
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