Conor Ferguson Q&A: ‘Even the girls were over six foot, and they were only 14’

At the age of 16, Conor Ferguson is a junior swimmer chasing Olympic qualification in the 100m backstroke. He came within an agonising 0.05 seconds of the qualifying time in setting an Irish record two weeks ago and aims to better that mark at the European Championships next week.

The European Aquatics Championships got underway last week in the London 2012 Olympic venue, with the synchronised swimming and diving taking the limelight. Diver Oliver Dingley has secured two top-ten finishes from the springboard but next week it’s the turn of the swimmers. An Irish team of 12 will travel over, including Ferguson, who will compete in the 100m backstroke heats on Monday.

Q: So what’s the plan for next week?