PARALYMPICS Lourens & McGivern Set New Personal Bests in a Tough Day of Competition in Reykjavik

Ireland's Gina Lourens set a new personal best of 35.40 seconds tonight in the final of the womens 50m Freestyle event (S8 Class). Lourens, originally from South Africa but now racing for Ireland, shaved .22 of a second off her previous best to finish in 6th position overall. Speaking after her event, Lourens said, "Its always great to get a personal best in the final, I knew I could push harder in the final from this mornings heats and felt strong throughout the 50m"

Ireland had three other swimmers in competition today. Laurence McGivern, a native of Newry, was first into the pool for his 400m Freestyle event (S9 Class). Yet another of the promising batch of young Irish swimmers making their major championship debut at these games, McGivern put in a solid performance to finish in a time of 5.10 which was a new personal best. Commenting afterwards, McGivern said of his debut performance, "It was brilliant to get in for my first swim here at the championships, and I'm pleased to start off with a new long course pb in this event"

Stephen Campbell just missed out on a personal best time in the 50m Freestyle event (S11 Class) finishing with a time of 30.50 seconds. This was not enough to get Campbell through to tonight's final but he is back in action tomorrow morning in the 100m Butterfly event.

Having made his competition debut yesterday, Killaloe native, Jonathan McGrath swam in the 50m Freestyle event (S8 Class) finishing in a time of 34.5 seconds, which was not enough to get him through to the final. Having come through the Paralympic Council of Irelands Paralions talent identification programme, McGrath is certainly a talent to watch in the future.

Day 5 of the competition sees 4 Irish swimmers in action. Laurence McGivern enters the 50m Freestyle event (S9 Class) while Darragh McDonald swims in the 100m Freestyle event (S6 Class). Gina Lourens and Stephen Campbell take to the pool again in the 100m Butterfly event, (S8Class) and (S11 Class) respectively.

For further information, contact the Paralympic Council of Ireland Press Officer, John Fulham at mobile: 087-2709182 or email:communications@pcireland.ie