Keane Storms Through Heat to Join Ní Riain on Final Stage
This morning, Ellen Keane entered the La Défense Arena to begin her swansong appearance on the grandest stage of all, competing in the penultimate event of her illustrious career. While the SB8 100m Breaststroke is not Keane’s retirement swim, it is her main one, and the one she struck gold three years ago on an unforgettable night in Tokyo.
Shifting the focus to the action in the water, Ellen Keane was the sole competitor for Team Ireland in the pool this morning. Keane took to the blocks with the third fasted entry time, Team GB’s Brock Whiston and the rising star Anastasiya Dmytriv Dmytriv from Spain, first and second respectively.
The Clontarf native showed excellent form in the morning heat, showing she was fully focussed on the task at hand, qualifying for tonight’s final comfortably. Keane reacted to the starting gun third quickest, powering through the La Défense water and leading the way on the turn. The five-time Paralympian and Team GB’s Whiston went stroke for stroke throughout the final 50-metres, both stopping the clock on 1:24.59 to finish joint-first in the heat, advancing to tonight’s final joint-second overall.
Speaking in the mixed zone following the morning swim, Keane said: “I had so much fun, I just embraced it, so I just wanted to soak up the atmosphere when I walked out, find my friends and family and give them a big wave. It’s so special, this is why I stayed on after Tokyo, I wanted to retire in a full stadium, and I wanted them to have that opportunity to cheer me on.
“I already won a gold medal in Tokyo, there’s so many things out of your control, the only thing in your control is your own performance, and just to making sure you are ready on the day to give it your all. I have that gold medal, that will always be mine forever, what happens tonight, happens tonight. I’d love to be on the podium, but Para swimming has progressed so much, I’m not naive on how strong the girls I swim against are, I love that.”
Looking ahead to tonight’s final, she added: “It will be a nice fight tonight, I’m really excited. I know a few girls weren’t going as fast as they can there, including me. I had a bit of fun with my stroke rate and seeing what I can do, the time is fine, joint-first in the heat – it will be a fun final.”
Irish eyes will be on the La Défense Arena once again later as Team Ireland’s Róisín Ní Riain returns to action after she placed fourth last night in Paris. Ní Riain is entered into tonight’s 100m Backstroke S13 Final (6:51pm IRL) ranked second and is the current World Champion, after she won gold in Manchester last year. Thirty minutes later Ellen Keane will be suiting back up for the 100m Breaststroke SB8 Final, the final time she will compete in this event while looking to defend her title, which is set to get underway at 7:21pm.
Result – 30th August
Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB8 Heat: Ellen Keane – 1:24.59 (2nd), Q
Schedule – 30th August
Women’s S13 100m Backstroke Final: Róisín Ní Riain – 18:51
Women’s SB8 100m Breaststroke Final: Ellen Keane – 19:21
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