Nocher uses Twitter to hit back at critics

Down swimmer Melaine Nocher became embroiled in a bizarre war of words with Irish media on Twitter after exiting the Olympic Games yesterday.

Nocher finished seventh in her 200m backstroke heat in 2:16.29, over five seconds outside the national senior record of 2:10.75 she set at the European Championships final in Debrecen earlier this year to secure her place in London.

Members of the Irish broadcast media took to Twitter to express annoyance that Nocher refused to grant them an interview following the race in the Aquatic Centre.

But the Ards swimmer subsequently used her account to hit back at detractors and reveal she has been suffering from gastroenteritis since the weekend. She tweeted: “Well I gave it my best have had gastro intensitis since sunday so have been feeling anything but good, least I can say I gave it my all.”

In reply to the broadcasters who hit out at her failure to stop in the mixed zone she replied: “sorry was on my way to throw up didn’t think it would be very good tv. Will reschedule could barely walk bar talk was off to be sick. Apparently giving it so much u can barely walk out of the pool to throw ur guts up isn’t enough for some.”

Later she thanked people for their support: “I am Proud of myself and what I have achieved I stood up when many wouldn’t and can safely say I gave it my all! The tank was emptied.”