Turner through to freestyle final in Paralympics

Portarlington swimming star Nicole Turner has qualified for the women's S6 50-metre freestyle final at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Turner claimed third place in her heat this morning, in a time of 35.35 seconds, to finish fifth overall. She will now compete for a medal in the final which is due to take place this evening (Thursday) at 6.19pm.

Nicole faces tough competition to make the podium this evening, with the fastest qualifier, China's Yuyan Jiang, having set a new Paralympic record in 32.70. In addition, the third-fastest qualifier Anna Hontar of Ukraine was a full second quicker than Turner's personal best of 34.71.

But Turner has shown impressive form so far this year, having won gold (in the 50m freestyle), silver and two bronze medals at the European Championships in Madeira. She will surely take encouragement from those performances and indeed from her previous success in the Paralympics.

From Garryhinch, Portarlington, on the Offaly side of the border with Laois, Nicole is competing in her third Paralympics. Having made her debut at the age of 14 in Rio de Janeiro, she won a silver medal in Tokyo three years ago.

Nicole won a silver medal in the S6 50m butterfly final at the Tokyo Paralympics (held in 2021), recording a time of in 36.30. The aforementioned Yuyan Jiang won the gold medal in that final, having also edged out Turner in their heat.

Turner (21) began her swimming career with Portarlington Piranhas before moving to Laois Marlins in Portlaoise. She moved to train with Ireland’s top swimmers at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin in 2017.

Currently a student at Technological University Dublin, Nicole will also be in action next Tuesday morning, September 3, with her S6 50m butterfly heat due to take place at 9.12am.