STILL A CHAMP

STILL A CHAMP

1 August 2012

SYCERIKA McMahon’s Olympic dream may be over this time around, but she remains the pride of Portaferry.

The 17-year-old swimmer bowed out of the Olympics after failing to make through the heats of 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

She made her debut in the Olympic Aquatic Centre in the 100m breaststroke on Sunday, but finished in a disappointing eighth place.

Just 24 hours later she swam a personal best of 2:14.76 in her 200m individual medley heat. It was good enough for third place, but unfortunately not good enough for a place in the semi-finals.

“I’m just happy I gave it my all because I couldn’t have done any better,” she said afterwards. “It’s a great atmosphere here and I just love being part of it.”

McMahon was in front after 150m, but admitted that, while her breast stroke was strong, she was let down by her back stroke and freestyle.

“My breast stroke is always my strongest and people know that by now. My back stroke is not the strongest point of my IM so I have to make up for it with the breast stroke. Unfortunately, my freestyle suffered a little because I just put so much effort into that breast stroke.

“It’s a great experience. My main goal was to qualify for London and anything I did after that was really a bonus. I’ve loved it. This is by far my most favourite place ever. It’s so great.”

Sycerika isn’t planning to come home to Portaferry just yet.

“I’d quite like to get to some other venues. The tennis, the boxing, watch a few other Irish athletes. There’s a great atmosphere in Team Ireland, it’s something I’ve never experienced before and I’m very happy about that.

“I’m hungry for more. I can’t wait to race again.”