A RUEFUL SYCERIKA McMAHON admitted she was disappointed to miss out on qualification for the semi-finals of the 200m Individual Medley, but says the atmosphere at the Olympics Games has led to an experience she will never forget.
The 17-year-old from Portaferry swam a personal best of 2:14.76 but just fell short, despite finishing third in her heat.
“I’d like to have gone faster if I’m being truthful about it, but I suppose that’s just for another race,” she told TheScore.ie. “I’ll take away the positives and negatives from that one when I talk to my coach.
“I’m just happy I gave it my all because I couldn’t have done any better. It’s a great atmosphere here and I just love being part of it.”
McMahon was in front after 150m but admitted that, while her breast stroke was strong, she was let down by her back stroke and free style.
“My breast stroke is always my strongest and people know that by now. My back stroke is not the strongest point of my IM so I have to make up for it with the breast stroke. Unfortunately my freestyle suffered a little because I just put so much effort into that breast stroke.
“That’s something to work on in training, to get my stamina up for that last 50m.
The County Down swimmer said she was disappointed to learn she had come so close to the semi-finals, but finished just outside the 2:14.26 mark that sealed the final spot.
“I suppose that’s disappointing for me to hear right now but I honestly couldn’t have done any better. I’m just happy I finished my last swim in the Olympics well. I just have to look forward to the future, hopefully in four years’ time I’ll be up here with these guys again,” she added to Will Downing, reporting from London.
“It’s just unbelievable to take part and I can learn a lot from these people.”
McMahon is staying around for the rest of the Games and says she’ll be keeping a close eye on her Irish team-mates competing in other sports.
“I’d quite like to get to some other venues. The tennis, the boxing, watch a few other Irish athletes. There’s a great atmosphere in Team Ireland, it’s something I’ve never experienced before and I’m very happy about that.”
