Róisín Ní Riain, 19, has won Ireland’s first medal of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, clinching the Silver medal in the Women's S13 100m backstroke event on Friday, August 30.
Róisín, from Co Limerick, finished her medal-winning swim with a final time of 1:07.27, landing behind Gold medal winner Gia Pergolini of the US (1:04.93) and right ahead of Bronze medal winner Carlotta Gilli of Italy (1:08.08).
The Women's S13 100m backstroke was Róisín's second event this week - on Thursday, she narrowly missed the podium in the women's S13 100m Butterfly final when she finished in fourth.
However, Róisín's not done yet - she's due to swim in the Women's SM13 200m IM on Tuesday and the Women's SB13 100m Breaststroke on Thursday.
🎶 She’s the Queen of the Silver Dollar 🥈🎶
What a moment for Róisín!#TheNextLevel | #Paris2024 | #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/meGvn7uOjT
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 30, 2024
Draped in an Irish flag, Róisín told RTÉ Sport after her medal-winning swim that it "means the world" that her friends and family were in attendance at La Defense Arena to watch her swim.
She went on to say, with a smile, that it's a "great feeling" to have won Team Ireland's first medal of the 2024 Paralympics.
"But we have so much more to come," she said, adding, "It's definitely just the start for Ireland."
Róisín Ní Riain reacts after claiming a silver medal in the women's S13 100m backstroke#RTEparalympics #paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 30, 2024
📺Watch @rte2 @rteplayer
📱Updates https://t.co/ELWb2w3nNp pic.twitter.com/np6TMzbky4
Róisín was met with a wave of congratulations both on the ground in Paris and at home in Ireland on Friday.
Her Irish supporters, donning green 'Team Róisín' t-shirts and waving Irish flags, were ecstatic with the win in Paris.
Decked in their 'Team Róisín' t-shirts, Róisín Ní Riain's family speak of their pride after her silver medal success in the pool #RTEparalympics #paris2024 📺Watch @rte2 @rteplayer
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 30, 2024
📱Updates https://t.co/ELWb2w3nNp pic.twitter.com/8sEh9fsrNn
Catherine Martin, Ireland's Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was among the fans cheering on Róisín in person on Friday.
Róisín Ní Ríain wins Silver for Ireland at #Paris2024 ! 🥈🇮🇪🙌
Fantastic performance, Róisín.
What an exceptional athlete 👏 #TeamIreland https://t.co/CEAnSGN5Vg pic.twitter.com/4cVXKxqAER
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) August 30, 2024
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris congratulated Róisín, calling her win a "great start to the competition."
Ireland wins its first medal in the Parlympics!
Congratulations Róisín Ní Riain on winning Ireland’s first medal 🏅
A great start to the competition. pic.twitter.com/CbctimjOmY
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 30, 2024
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins also extended his congratulations.
Congratulations to Róisín Ní Ríain on her achievement in winning a silver medal in the women’s S13 100m backstroke at the @Paralympics in Paris
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 30, 2024
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