PARALYMPICS Curtain Comes Down on Glittering Career for Irish Swimmer Dave Malone at Paralympic Games
| One of Ireland's most successful Paralympians and Sydney Gold medalist Dave Malone, brought the curtain down on his spectacular swimming career in the Water Cube this morning. Swimming in the second heat of S8 100m backstroke, Malone clocked a time of 1:16.80 to finish in fifth; tenth overall, which was not enough to book a place in the final of the event. | |
| One of Ireland's most successful Paralympians and Sydney Gold medalist Dave Malone, brought the curtain down on his spectacular swimming career in the Water Cube this morning. Swimming in the second heat of S8 100m backstroke, Malone clocked a time of 1:16.80 to finish in fifth; tenth overall, which was not enough to book a place in the final of the event. Asked how the swim felt the Dubliner responded: "I was hoping to go a little bit faster but I gave it everything I could. I went out quite relaxed and comfortable in the first 50metres and turned well. Just the last 25metres the arms were turning over but I just couldn't generate any power, and just fell short today unfortunately." |
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| He went on to reveal: "I was always going to retire after this meet; it's my fourth Paralympic Games, and in my head I always wanted to go out at the highest level, and I mean it doesn't get any bigger than this!" The thirty year old three time Paralympic medalist took time to reflect on a decorated career that saw him take silver in Atlanta, gold in Sydney and another silver medal four years ago in Athens. |
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| "Winning the gold in Sydney 2000, eight years ago now; that was a huge moment because that year I'd won the World Championships, the European Championships, I held the world record, it was the only one I hadn't won and it was a big milestone. It's probably the greatest moment in anyone's career to win a medal at the Paralympic Games. It doesn't get any bigger than that." Malone continued: "I held the world record for 100m backstroke for ten years, and it was only broken last year. I've had an international career spanning back now since 1993 so I've had a really amazing journey. It was always going to end here." Malone is also the head coach of the National Aquatic Centre swim team in Abbotstown and while he is hanging up the togs in terms of competitive action he firmly intends to stay involved in the sport. "The future of Paralympic swimming in general is very bright in Ireland, there's some incredible talent coming through, the best I've ever probably seen coming through at once." He continued: "It really is exciting times ahead; hopefully my career has inspired some of those to get involved, and the new generation can inspire young Paralympic athletes and able bodied athletes to get into the pool and start swimming. I'm very much looking forward to a new chapter in coaching, and being heavily involved in sport from another aspect. I go away with great memories", he concluded before exiting the pool deck for the last time, in this guise anyway. Elsewhere on the morning of day four Archer Sean Heary took to the field against Germany's Michael Arenz in the elimination stages of the Men's Individual Compound competition at the Olympic Green Archery Field. Despite the sweltering conditions, Heary maintained his composure to defeat Arenz with a score of 108 - 104 to progress to the next round. Heary will now meet Sung-Kil Go of Korea in the last sixteen stage tomorrow morning. Commenting after upsetting the formbook, Heary said "In every match of twelve arrows you have a chance. I focused entirely on my own performance and wasn't checking on my opponent's scores. Obviously I am delighted with the way it worked out and am looking forward to tomorrow's last 16". On the last day of track competition for the Irish cyclists at the Laoshan Velodrome; the venue where no less than seven new Irish records were set at these Games, Michael Delaney and sighted pilot rider David Peelo finished fifth in the Men's Sprint event over 200m (B&VI Class). The Irish riders defeated their Canadian rivals in a thrilling 5 th/6th place race off. The duo was delighted with their performance having set a new Irish record with a time of 11.460 seconds in the qualification stages this morning. In the Football 7-a-side competition, Ireland faced Paralympic and World champions, Ukraine, in the second match of the pool stages. With temperatures soaring in the mid morning heat under the glare of the Beijing sun, the Irish team found the pace of play difficult, losing out to the reigning champions in a 7 - 0 score line. With the loss of one of the brightest Irish talents; Luke Evans to injury for this tie Paul Cassin's men were left facing an unenviable task. The Irish team will regroup and go on to play Great Britain in the final pool game this Friday. The British team also came out the wrong side of a demoralizing score line (1-8) on Monday to the Ukraine so the Irish lads encounter with them on Friday is set to be a hard fought affair. After today's results; Iran beat Great Britain 3-0 in Ireland's pool the Ukraine and Iran are guaranteed to progress to the semi-final stage. The Irish will be hoping to beat British the in order to set up the preferred classification tie on Sunday against the Chinese side. Ireland's Boccia team is in action later in the day in their first two matches of their pool in the BC1/BC2 mixed event. In the Bird's Nest this evening Sydney Paralympian Catherine Wayland goes in the F32-34/51-53 discus with three time Paralympian Lisa Callaghan contesting the F35-38 combined javelin final. T37 800m world record holder and reigning world champion; Antrim teenager Michael McKillop will compete in the final of the event bidding for glory. |
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