Nicole Turner takes a major step

Despite being the youngest member of the Irish team, Nicole Turner certainly didn’t perform like a novice on her Paralympic debut yesterday. The 14-year-old swimmer from Portarlington was reflecting with pride last night after reaching the final of the S6 women’s 50m butterfly final.

Turner placed second in her heat yesterday morning in 38.44 seconds to advance to the final as the fourth fastest and afterwards, the teenager was suitably beaming with pride. “I’m really happy,” she said. “It wasn’t a PB but to make it through was great.”

Turner admitted that despite rarely being ruffled, even at this lofty level of competition, she felt the weight of the occasion when she went to her blocks.