Paralympic silver medallist Nicole Turner has announced her retirement.
The 22-year-old, who competed in three Paralympic Games, bows out as one of Ireland's most celebrated athletes with multiple international medals.
The Portarlington native made her senior international debut in 2015, winning a silver in the youth category.
Aged just 14 she made her Paralympic debut in Rio, setting PBs in six of her 10 races, and served as a flagbearer for the closing ceremony.
Silverware followed in the 50m butterfly at the 2018 European Championships (silver) and 2019 World Championships (bronze), while at the 2021 Europeans she claimed medals in all four of her events.
A second Paralympic Games resulted in the career-high of silver in the 50m butterfly, while more medals came her way (one gold, one silver and bronze) in her final Europeans last year in Madeira.
Turner competed in two events at the Paris Games but was unable to build on her Tokyo achievements.
She described as "tough" her 50m freestyle final, in which she finished sixth, and failed to advanced to the 50m butterfly final to defend her podium position from three years previous.
"The reality of sport is every day is not a good day"
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Nicole Turner admits it's tough to take missing out on a medal after finishing sixth in S6 50m freestyle. #RTEparalympics #Paris2024
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"I always say it's hard reaching the top, but it's also way harder staying at the top and I think once you get introduced into winning medals it's kind of put on you then to think 'you're good, you're going to stay good' and I'm not saying you're not going to stay good but it is just that bit harder," she said poolside at La Défense Arena.
Paralympics Ireland CEO Stephen McNamara paid tribute to the longevity of the young athlete's career.
"Nicole has been an extraordinary ambassador for Irish para-sport since her international debut in 2015," he said.
"Competing at one Paralympic Games is a massive achievement, but to compete at three, in addition to multiple World and European Championships, speaks to her longevity and commitment as a high-performance athlete.
"Her contribution to Irish sport and her exceptional performances will leave a lasting legacy."
