Paris 2024: McSharry into 200m breaststroke semi-final

Mona McSharry has qualified for tonight's 200m breaststroke semi-final with a time of 2:23.98 after finishing third in her heat behind a pair of South African swimmers.

It follows her bronze medal winning performance in the 100m breaststroke final on Monday.

Swimming in lane 5 this morning, the Sligo woman had a steady start over the first 100m and was in second place at the half-way mark.

McSharry was ultimately reeled in by South African Kaylene Corbett who followed her compatriot

The 100m Olympic champions Tatjana Smith came home in first place, but McSharry was reeled in by the other South African in the race - Kaylene Corbett – to finish third.

McSharry’s time was seventh fastest, comfortably qualifying her for tonight’s semi-finals which are scheduled for 9.03pm.

Speaking after her heat, McSharry said that she was happy with her performance.

"It's my second fastest morning swim ever, and third fastest time. Should be enough to make it back tonight and hopefully we can go faster.

However, in the wake of winning a bronze medal on Monday she said that it hasn’t changed her approach.

"I think it’s such a tight event - even in the 100m - your spot is never safe and so it’s always fun to compete and that I have to bring my best or else it’s not going to be enough," McSharry said.

She admitted that it was slightly difficult to refocus after medalling, but that she was prepared "because I always knew I had the 200m coming up".

McSharry added: "I think the hardest part was getting to sleep and not wanting to revel in it too much and just knowing that I can sit back and enjoy the medal when I’m done racing."

In the 100m final on Monday she had to swim with water in her eyes after her goggles filled up when she dived in.

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