Nicole Turner and Dearbhaile Brady claim European medals in 50m freestyle

Nicole Turner and Dearbhaile Brady both claimed medals in the 50m freestyle final at the 2024 European Para Swimming Championships in Madeira.

In a race that went right down to the wire, Turner touched the wall at the same time as Swiss swimmer Nora Meister to claim joint gold for her second European medal this week and a first gold medal at a major championship.

Team-mate Brady followed close behind to take bronze, her first ever major championship medal.

"That was special and to do it as a joint was even more special," Turner said afterwards. "To be honest the 50 free I love it. It's an event that I really enjoy and I did really enjoy that race".

Turner returns to the pool tomorrow evening for the 100m breaststroke.

Brady said it will take some time for the achievement to sink in.

"It was quite a shock seeing my name come up there," she said. "I was really nervous coming into the race but I’m really proud of how I swam".

Róisín Ní Riain, who has already claimed two gold and a silver at the championships, finished eighth in her 50m freestyle final in a time of 28.75.

Tomorrow Ní Riain will contest the 400m freestyle. Barry McClements is back in the pool for his second event the 100m backstroke.