Search
10 Aug 2022
Search
10 Aug 2022
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
Shane Ryan with supporters at the Rio reception in 2016 at the Pint O'Port, Portarlington for the Olympic swimmer. Photo: Michael Scully .
Ireland's first World Championship swimming medalist is looking forward to spending time with his 'very, very big' Irish family on the Laois Offaly border in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics.
The swimmer, whose dad Tom hails from Portarlington, has decided to move back to Ireland to help put the country on the medal podium in Japan in 2020.
An Irish American, Shane declared for Ireland in 2015 before Rio. He spoke to RTÉ about representing Ireland and his plans for Tokyo after claiming bronze in the 50-metre backstroke at the World Shortcourse Championships in China on Friday.
Read also: WATCH SHANE WIN BRONZE
He said his Irish roots made it no problem to opt for Ireland.
"It was no sacrifice whatsoever coming to Ireland. I've always been raised as Irish. My Dad is one of 10 (siblings in his family) and he's the only one in the United States. So, I've a very, very big Irish family. I've family in Mayo and family in Portarlington. So, it wasn't much of a sacrifice. I always feel at home in Ireland.
"I'm so happy because this is a long time coming for Ireland. Because we're such a strong country. We're so powerful so now we're focusing on the sprinting. We can really do a lot of damage in Tokyo.
"That's another reason I'm moving back to Ireland. And it's no sacrifice at all. You've got to do what's best for Ireland. If I need to move back, I need to move back so we can get a relay team to the Olympics," he said.
Read also: READ RTÉ INTERVIEW
Shane believes Ireland's swimmers have big chances in 2020.
"We're going to be rapid. And if I get better and Conor Ferguson gets better and everyone else gets better, the mentality is going to like pushing a snowball down a hill. It's going to get bigger and bigger and no one will be able to stop it.
"I'm just glad I can get Ireland up on the board and see that flag being raised. Maybe the next time I come around, it'll be the first flag up there and the Irish national anthem being played," said Shane.
Read also: SHANE BREAKS MORE RECORDS
Shane broke more records in the 100-metre freestyle and with the relay team on Saturday. He is out again in another relay event on Saturday.
IRELAND WEATHER: Met Eireann pinpoints when heatwave will end in latest weather forecast for Ireland
Marharyta Konissarova
Laura Scott of CCÉ, Camross, Laois, 1st Place All Ireland Winner for the English Singing (Ladies) “Glenfinn Branch Cup” (12-15 years) at the 2022 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil
Aisling, Dan and Niall Donoher after the Laois Ladies won the All Ireland Intermediate Final in Croke Park. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
-1659700168274.jpg)
