Mona McSharry eyes star billing at the rocking La Defence

It's three years and two days since Mona McSharry competed in her maiden Olympic final.

It was the early hours of the morning Irish time that she swam that race in Tokyo. She finished eight, but still it was a sign of ongoing progression. Since then she did go through a rather dark period in her life and thought about packing it in; swimming became something that was not important anymore.

Through words from her family and friends, she emerged out the other side. And now she seems to tapering her performance to reach what is required. McSharry shaved a bit off her previous personal best in Sunday's semi-final of the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Games.

In Monday's final, she'll be up against the world record holder Lily King (1:04.13) and the Olympic equivalent Tatjana Smith (1:04.82). Also in the line-up will be China's Qianting Tang, seen as the favourite by many before these Games.

The atmosphere in the La Defense Arena on this Sunday evening, more so when Nicolo Martinenghi took gold in the men's 100m breaststrtoke and then home favourite Leon Marchand delivered in the 400m IM final. USA cheers grew loudest when Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh won gold and silver respectively in the women's 100m butterfly final.

Marchand's medal presentation took place just before McSharry's semi. La Marseillaise rang out and all in the arena had to stand up.

There's a great theatricality to it all now, not just in swimming but in other sports, with beach volleyball, as imparted by one journalist on this trip no longer a sport but just "sheer entertainment and good fun". It's worth heading down to the Eiffel Tower then!

Part of the entertainment at the La Defense

Part of the Olympics show at the swimming #Paris2024 #RTESport #TeamIreland