FINA Extends a Pair of Relay Invitations to Ireland For Olympic Games

Shane Ryan (photo: Mike Lewis)

FINA Extends a Pair of Relay Invitations to Ireland For Olympic Games

Just days after the Olympic-qualification period ended for relays, FINA has extended a pair of invitations to Ireland for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. FINA has offered bids to the Irish 400-meter medley relay and 800-meter freestyle relay, which had narrowly missed out on wildcard entries. The miss of a wildcard by the 400 medley relay was particularly painful, as Ireland was clipped by .01 by Greece.

The invitations extended by FINA mean Ireland will have a men’s relay compete at the Olympic Games for the first time.

“This is a truly a historic moment for Irish swimming and for us all to be part of that, and for the Irish swimming community to have something huge to celebrate after such challenging times of late for our sport is so inspiring and uplifting,” said Swim Ireland’s National Performance Director Jon Rudd. “The athletes have done a remarkable job here in not getting one but two relays over the line, something we haven’t achieved for 49 years. The coaches and practitioners who work day in, day out, with these athletes must also receive our praise and our thanks. Now we prepare to do our nation proud in Tokyo, and give everyone a summer of excitement to look forward to.”

Those contributing to the Irish medley relay qualification are Shane Ryan, Darragh Greene, Brendan Hyland and Jack McMillan. As for the 800 freestyle relay, McMillan was supported at the recent European Championships by Jordan Sloan, Gerry Quinn and Finn McGeever.

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