Ellen Walshe hoping nervous energy can fuel Paris ambition

It was a surreal experience for those competing at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the absence of fans making for a rather eerie experience.

For swimmer Ellen Walshe it was, in her own words, "a whirlwind of emotions". She only qualified three weeks in advance, a surprise addition she freely admits, as she made her Olympic bow in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

For Paris, Walshe booked her ticket a year out after breaking the Irish record in the 200 IM at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. The Templeogue competitor will now compete in four events in the French capital; the 400m medley relay and the 400m individual medley also on her agenda, this after breaking Michelle Smith's Irish record for the latter event that stood for 28 years at the Leinster Championships in April.

Still only 22, Walshe's journey so far has been eventful, in that she has dealt with illness and nerves. There was also a period studying in the University of Tennessee, while a World Championship Short Course silver medal was won in the 400 IM in 2021.

With the Paris Games nearly upon us, Walshe was in upbeat mood when she spoke to the media on how she's feeling before her second Olympic appearance.

"I've been a whole year waiting for these Games but I have been able to get a ton of work done and have not had to taper down to compete," she said.

"Last summer was the first time we could qualify for the Olympic Games. I came back from a big illness, I got glandular fever - it took eight months to recover from that, so the summer was the first time we could qualify and I wanted to do it there and then.

"It was extremely helpful and handy to qualify in the first period that we got - to get my head down and get work done. I think that's