Ellen Keane: 'Now that I have the gold, I'm more at peace'

There was no beaming smile or frantic thrashing of the water when Ellen Keane claimed gold in the SB8 100m breaststroke at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. No fist pump in triumph

Ellen Keane celebrates winning a gold medal. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Sportspeople often describe the moment of victory in terms of relief rather than elation. Like a climber who reaches the summit, the effort is sometimes so great that the emotions can be dulled even as they finally get to plant the flag and survey their new surrounds.

Others simply struggle to grasp the sheer enormity of what they have just done.