Postcard from Paris: Paralympians' stories tied to what they've overcome

Eoghan Cormican has witnessed some memorable sporting achievements and listened to what it means to Team Ireland in the French capital.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Katie-George Dunlevy of Ireland, second from left. with pilot Linda Kelly and parents John and Alana after winning silver in the women's B road race on day nine of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Clichy-sous-bois in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

This Paris postcard begins in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Five days before Christmas last year, Mona McSharry took our call from her university apartment for an end-of-season chat. The Sligo swimmer proceeded, over the next 40 minutes, to bowl us over with her raw honesty, opening up for the first time about growing to hate her sport and consequently hating herself.