'As a parent watching on, it's extremely nerve-wracking' - Mike Corcoran on twins' Paris 2024, his Olympic past and Ukraine aid

High up in the stands at the striking Stade d'eau vive Vaires-sur-Marne venue that is hosting canoeing events at Paris 2024, one of the parents of a pair of Team Ireland athletes was feeling both a sense of pride, excitement and nerves.

Both of his twin daughters have been representing Ireland in the K1 (kayak) and C1 (canoe) categories over the past week at these Olympics and on Saturday afternoon, one of them was about to embark on a new Olympic event, the women's slalom kayak cross.

"As a parent watching on, it's extremely nerve-wracking," he tells RTÉ Sport.

"You're watching your kids on the water and you've no control over what they do and what's happening and I've always felt as an athlete I was in control, I wasn't so nervous but as a parent I do a lot of nail-biting."

Mike Corcoran represented Ireland as a slalom canoeist at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and Paris 2024 was his first as a spectator.

The reason for travelling all the way from the United States where he's been based for 36 years? There's a straightforward answer.

The Dublin native's daughters Madison and Michaela have been among the 133-strong Team Ireland contingent that started the Games.

Watch the full interview with Mike Corcoran here:

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Michaela, who was a late addition to the travelling party in the women's C1, had already finished up her maiden Olympics, but Madison still had the kayak cross to tackle after completing her individual K1 event.

"I'm very proud obviously," Corcoran told RTÉ Sport as he and