MONA MCSHARRY has missed out on qualifying for the final of the 200m Breaststroke at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Ireland’s 100m bronze medallist finished sixth in her semi-final — and 11th overall — in a time of 2:24.48 at Paris La Défense Arena.
USA’s Kate Douglas stormed to victory in 2:19.74, while 100m gold medallist Tatjana Smith and Lilly King of the US were second and third respectively.
Netherlands’ Tes Schouten won the other semi-final in a 2:22.74.
McSharry took bronze in the 100m Breaststroke on Monday, and she was extremely disappointed not to make a second final in Paris.
The Sligo star didn’t enjoy the quickest of starts, but that wasn’t surprising as she is more so a back-half swimmer. She was fifth around the midpoint and made a move either side of the 150m mark, but it ultimately wasn’t enough down the home straight.
“Right now I am just upset,” she told reporters afterwards. “All I know is the time wasn’t fast enough. Definitely upset. I was hoping for another final.
“I’m probably being greedy now being so upset because I did win a medal two nights ago and I know for some people that they only have one shot but I know that I am so much better than that race I put together and I was hoping it would be a bit faster.”
McSharry was ranked seventh of the 16 semi-final qualifiers. She finished third in her heat this morning in 2:23.98, her third-fastest 200m time ever. (She set the Irish record of 2:22.49 in Vancouver earlier this year.)
“It was definitely a little harder than this morning but in the race you’re hoping that that’s because you are going faster,” the Grange native said.
“It’s hurting more because the time is going to be faster but sadly that’s not always I guess the way it goes. I probably exerted a bit too much energy in the front half and paid for it in the back half.
“I was excited. I think I was a little bit more fatigued and low on energy this morning so I was kind of hoping that tonight was going to be better. I rested up well and tried to relax and use up as little energy as possible during the day.”
McSharry will sign off from the Games with the 400m Medley Relay on Saturday.
“The relay is a fun event to go out with the girls and do something special,” she concluded. “It’s just going to be a great way to finish off the meet.”
- Additional reporting from Gavin Cooney at Paris La Défense Arena.
He wasn’t giving out after the “winner” in Galway… offside and a foul…. Karma… should have brought the same ref with them
@Mark Anthony McNally: whataboutery. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Now you know what the rest of us feel like Stephen
As a regular at loi matches the standard of refereeing is absolutely shocking the referee at the Derry v rovers match is one off the worst on a regular basis but he not alone the fai really needs to improve the training for these referees.I do not support any club in the league before people start saying this
He’s got a bench that would walk onto most teams in the league but he’s whining about the referee.
Pity about em.
No surprise here really as this ref from mayo clearly has a bit of history in terms of giving disgraceful decisions against rovers. Frankly, he should not be allowed to referee another game until (a) It is clear that he fully understands the rules of the
game and (b) The FAI are fully satisfied that he is going to perform his role fairly and squarely. Failing that, he is only going to continue to drag the reputation of his already tarnished profession through the dirt!!!!!
@T E: swings and roundabouts. Over the course of the season it goes for and against. Reference the Rovers fan on the other thread. And as someone else rightly said the standard of refereeing here is poor, but I also understand its a hard and mostly thankless job.