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Now-Eligible Shane Ryan Scores First Irish National Record

2016 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Monday, May 16th – Sunday, May 22nd
  • Prelims: 10:00 AM (London Time) / 5:00 AM (Eastern Time)
  • Finals: 6:00 PM (London Time) / 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
  • London Aquatics Center, London, UK
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Celebrating the fact that he’s now able to officially represent Ireland internationally as of May 14th, Shane Ryan clocked his first national record while competing in London this morning.

In his first swim of this first prelims session of the 2016 European Aquatics Championships, 22-year old Ryan raced his way to the 3rd seed in the men’s 100m backstroke, earning a time of 54.21. That mark now rests as the 4th-fastest of Ryan’s career, but his first official Irish National Record as he is now eligible to compete for his new nation after having completed a mandatory year of residence in his new home nation.

53.93 is Ryan’s fastest time so far this year, but was it was scored at a meet before he was deemed officially eligible. As such, entering today’s competition, the Irish National Record was held by 16-year old Conor Ferguson, who earned a mark of 54.41 in Bangor this past March.

Ryan trains at the SwimIreland NAC Performance Center and has already hit the qualifying standard for the Irish Olympic team in the 100m backstroke in March.

 

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GotBeef?
8 years ago

I wonder what the relationship between Conor Ferguson and Ryan is? Ryan coming in as an “outsider” and establishing the record

Stay Human
Reply to  GotBeef?
8 years ago

I saw how well Ferguson has been doing including today, at a young age and thought maybe he’s benefiting from the extra competition?

Lost in the Sauce
8 years ago

What were the requirements for Ryan to become eligible to compete for Ireland? Were his parents born there?

jim
Reply to  Braden Keith
8 years ago

Correct – while it’s fairly easy on paper to get his citizenship, there was A LOT he had to give up in the process. He still had a year or two of eligibility left at NCAA’s. He went to Penn State and put that on hold if not forfeited eligibility (not sure which) to do this. Ryan was a great swimmer out of PA, but wanted to get to the olympics. Suffice it to say, making the olympics in the 100 back is extremely difficult as a USA citizen. Making it as an Irish citizen is much easier, and given his father is Irish, it makes sense to do it this way for the Ryan family. Given the 2 options… Read more »

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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