Bangor schoolgirl Grace Davison made her Olympic debut in Paris on Saturday morning.
The 16 year-old competed alongside Ards Swimming Club teammates Victoria Catterson, Larne Swimming Club star Danielle Hill and Erin Riordan for Ireland in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
The four-woman team finished eighth in their heat in La Defense Arena, 16th overall, after clocking 3:42.67, not far off the Irish record of 3:41.75. They are Ireland’s first women’s relay team to compete at the Olympics in 52 years.
Ireland’s youngest Olympian: “I’m not sure how good my performance was but I’ve enjoyed every second of the Olympics so far. It was a little overwhelming at the start. Everything is huge and there is so many people.
“It’s so strange walking past people in the village that you would only ever see on social media. I’m trying to take it all in. I really enjoyed getting out there and racing. I’ve not raced in an atmosphere like that. It’s amazing.”
Davison’s teammate Hill said: “That noise is incredible. Today, I wanted to get out there and experience that noise to prepare me for the rest of the week.”
Catterson said: “Being able to bring this relay home with three of my best mates was incredible. The crowd were so loud. It was like a rugby game at the Aviva, with all the chanting. Just to be here is so special.”
The quartet will compete in next Saturday’s Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay. She is the youngest member of the Irish Olympic team.