UPDATED 21:15
IRELAND’S DARRAGH MCDONALD has finished fourth in the S6 100m freestyle final at the Paralympic Games today.
The swimmer, who previously won gold at these Games, recorded a personal best time of 1:08.92.
That new landmark brought some satisfaction for the Wexford man, after the race he said:
“I’m happy with the pb, it was a good race. The field was very strong: the lads that won deserved to win, they are very strong competitors and I have no regrets, I gave it my all.”
The 18-year old then vowed that he would use the disappointment that comes with a fourth place to spur him on in the future.
“On one hand I’m disappointedI didn’t medal,” said McDonald, “ but on the other I’m half glad, because it will spur me on and create a new level of determination for continuing on.”
China’s Xu Qing won the race with a Paralympic record time of 1:05.82 while Germany’s Sebastian Iwanow took silver and Lorenzo Perez Escalona claimed bronze.
Elsewhere, James Scully, the final Irish athlete to compete at these Games, came seventh in the S5 100m freestyle final with a time if 1:21.89. A speed which was also a new personal best for the teenager.
In his first Paralympic Games Scully has placed 5th, 7th, 19th and 13th in his four events. As the final Irish athlete in action, Scully reflected:
“It’s been unreal, I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s been the best experience of my life.
“Its great being able to swim well in this environment”.
Daniel Dias (Brazil), Roy Perkins (USA) and Sebastian Rodgriguez (Spain) took the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
