Walshe eligible for nomination to OFI for Olympics
ELLEN Walshe appears to be on course to get the chance to represent Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics after Swim Ireland today confirmed that she is eligible to be nominated to the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) to compete at the Summer Games later this month.
The Templeogue Swimming Club star produced a stunning performance at last month’s qualifiers in the NAC that saw her swim below the FINA ‘A’ time for the Women’s 200m Individual Medley when she clocked 2:12.02.
Ellen Walshe in action at last month's qualifiers
But even having achieved that, questions remained as to whether or not she would be put forward because priority at those qualifiers had been given to the 10 swimmers who were within 1.5% of the FINA ‘A’ time at the previous Irish trials staged at the NAC in April.
And with Walshe not having swam within the time required in those April trials, she did not figure on the list.
But in a statement released today, Swim Ireland said ‘The Swim Ireland Board, having considered the Swim Ireland Olympic Nomination Policy and taking into account the organisation’s ‘athlete first’ ethos, has confirmed that Ellen Walshe is eligible to be nominated by Swim Ireland to the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) to compete at the Olympic Games later this month.
‘The OFI are on notice of this. Ellen Walshe will now be considered for nomination to the OFI by the Swim Ireland Selection Panel when they meet later this week.’
Ellen Walshe with her coach Brian Sweeney
Delighted with today’s news, Walshe’s coach Brian Sweeney told The Echo “I’m over the moon. Ellen’s an incredibly diligent young lady. She’s had her ups and downs with injury and just to see her flourish the way she has, it’s fantastic.
“She’s come right the way through our club system and she’s said that she will be continuing her swimming in the US, so to send her off as an Olympian is just so special.
“And it’s been a huge team effort. From those coaches who had her in as a beginner in her armbands, to those who taught her in ‘Improvers’, then ‘Advanced’ and then during her early years in the club, it’s so nice for them to feel that they’ve all played their part in her journey.
“And now for her to get the experience of competing in the Olympics at 19, it’s incredible” he said.
Walshe was the sixth Irish swimmer to achieve a FINA ‘A’ standard time, joining Danielle Hill, Daniel Wiffen, Darragh Greene, Mona McSharry and Shane Ryan.
TAGS Sport
