Danielle Hill aiming to enjoy Paris Olympics after 'rough couple of years'

By Danielle Hill's own admission, opening up is not her "forte" but it's been the most impactful preparatory tool that has got her going into Paris 2024 with a positive mindset.

The Co Antrim swimmer went to Tokyo three years ago but the next couple of years had proven to be a difficult time as she grappled with her form in the pool, which came to a head with a struggle at last year's World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.

"Tokyo was special because obviously it was my first Games and that can never be taken away but this time around it means a little more because I've had a rough couple of years - from Tokyo you could say," she told RTÉ Sport as Team Ireland's swimmers gathered together in Blanchardstown before they set out for Paris.

Daniel Wiffen, Mona McSharry, Danielle Hill, Conor Ferguson and Max McCusker have all been speaking about the highs and lows on the road to Paris 2024 and what awaits them at the Olympics:

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"Especially this year I didn't even want to start the year, I didn't want to come back to swimming. So to be standing here, (I'm) proud of what I and what the team behind me has achieved."

Prying open the doors to the inner turmoil was aided immeasurably by the oil on the hinges provided by talking with sports psychologist and former London 2012 Olympian Jessie Barr.

"I brought someone on board to help me talk about it and I had to reach out. Talking is not my forte but it was either that or walking away from the sport," she admitted, adding that she cherishes