Orla Comerford is disappointed to see Russian and Belarusian athletes being allowed to compete under their own flags at the upcoming Winter Paralympics.
The International Paralympic Committee voted earlier this week to reverse a decision that has been in place since the Russian invasion of Ukraine just over four years ago.
It potentially means that Russian and Belarusian flags will be flown, and their anthems played, at medal ceremonies in Italy.
Comerford, who won bronze in the 100m T13 at the summer games in Paris two years ago, says that it's a mistake to let the athletes compete under their own flags.
"It's really disappointing," she said at the Women In Sport Week launch.
"At the Paris Games, we didn't have those athletes there and there was an ease when we were competing that we knew that those athletes wouldn't be there.
"When you watched the Olympics and those athletes weren't there, it's very disappointing to see them at the Paralympics.
"My hope is that that doesn't overshadow the work that the other athletes are doing, the incredible performances.
"We really want to make sure that our sport is clean, that our sport is fair, that we're not supporting countries who are doing harm to others.
"That's something that is central in my own beliefs, but as well in sports. People say sport isn't political but sport is political. Everything is political.
"To kind of brush it off is naive. It is important to be engaged with that and understand the implications of it."
Closer to home, Comerford's attention turns to this weekend's 123.ie National Indoor Athletics Championships.
The 28-year-old is hoping to see plenty of people heading to the National Indoor Arena over the two-day event.
"If people can see athletics (and) get involved with it - it's not just every four years at a Games," she continued.
"It's exciting to get that and that's the big thing with the campaign this week. There's a whole schedule of events that are on for women's sport.
"It's not just about turning on the TV. Buy the tickets, turn up, enjoy, really get involved with it and get behind it, because that's how we bring that same energy."
Looking further ahead, Comerford says there's one big target on her mind.
"My hope is that I'm going to get to as many big races as I can to really put para sport on the map.
"Whether that's Diamond Leagues, Continental Tours, here at home with Nationals, with the Morton Games; trying to create that platform so that people can see para-athletes at the top.
"For me, it's about always getting closer and chipping away. I want to be better than I was last year. I want to create that platform for myself to go on next year to World Championships, when you're looking at qualifying for the next games in LA.
"Everything leads towards LA but this year is really important. There's a lot to do, a lot to be gained and yeah, a lot to work for."
