Irish swimmers get their first taste of raucous Paris Olympics atmosphere
Ellen Walshe was first in the pool for Team Ireland on a star-studded morning
Being first up is never easy. But for Ellen Walshe it was about getting in the pool and soaking up the incredible atmosphere at the La Défense Arena on a star-studded morning in Paris.
There were flags, hats, inflatable kangaroos and noise. Lots of noise. Decibel levels were more like a finals night as USA superstar Katie Ledecky faced reigning Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus in the heats of the 400m freestyle.
“Crazy that the crowd’s so loud for a heats session,” said Titmus after the Australian was just pipped by Ledecky in the heat.
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Titmus holds the world record, Ledecky the Olympic record and they meet again in the final tonight at 7:52pm (Irish time). Expect fireworks with Canada’s Summer Macintosh and New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather also involved.
Walshe had the honour of being first on the blocks for Ireland when she lined up in the heats of the 100m butterfly.
There was disappointment for Walshe in finishing sixth, but it was a chance to experience the atmosphere of La Défense Arena at full capacity before her main event, the 400m individual medley on Monday.
“I felt good going in, I just enjoyed it. It was great to be first out for Ireland,” said Walshe.
“The last few days have been great, the village is pretty cool. This pool, we’ve been training in it and it’s been an empty stand.
"Obviously to walk out today there today… Even normally when they blow the whistle everyone goes quiet, not here, they just continued (cheering).
“I guess, just continuing and staying in your own mind is really important. I was able to do that today. It wasn’t the time I was hoping for, but to come in here and be first out for Ireland is pretty special.
“I probably knew it was going to be pretty loud going in, but you’ve just got to soak it up and enjoy it and use it as fire instead of using it as fear.”
Britain’s Adam Peaty was also in action in the morning session as big crowds returned to the Olympic swimming pool following the Covid-affected Games in Tokyo and he cruised into tonight’s semi-finals of the men’s 100m breaststroke.
Soon afterwards, Belfast swimmer Danielle Hill led off the Irish women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, alongside Erin Riordan, Victoria Catterson and 16-year-old Grace Davison.
They were out of luck in a daunting heat that featured crack USA and British squads, but Hill was taking positives from the swim.
“Obviously in Tokyo we didn't have anything of that kind,” said Hill. “So although it was my second Olympics it’s the first time I've experienced that noise and so it makes me even more excited to get the prep on the way for the 100 backstroke on Monday.”
The reigning European 50m backstroke champion is competing in her second Olympics after Tokyo and is now looking forward her favoured event on Monday.
“I now switch the focus back to backstroke, which is what I love doing,” said Hill. “And then we wake up on Monday morning and that's when I switch on.
“I don’t like to switch on too early because as Victoria says you've got to save your energy, it's a nine day meet.
“And you've got to be there also for other people. So I can enjoy tomorrow and cheering on Mona (McSharry) and Daniel (Wiffen), I think is up as well. So it's really exciting and I'm glad to start this experience with these other girls.”
16-year-old Grace Davison from Bangor admitted there had been some overwhelming since arriving in Paris, but she was taking it in her stride with the help of her relay teammates.
“Just being here in this incredible atmosphere with all these girls that support me all the way — it's definitely a little bit overwhelming at times, but I've really enjoyed every second of it,” said Davison.
“And hopefully that I'll carry on throughout the rest of the meet.”
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