Shane Ryan is looking forward to attacking some more Irish records after reaching the semi-finals of the 100m backstroke yesterday.
The 22-year-old set a new national mark in yesterday's heats with a time of 53.85 seconds that was good enough to qualify for the evening's semis, and while he couldn't repeat the trick against the top names in the sport, clocking in at 54.40, Ryan revelled in the experience.
"It felt alright but the time didn't really go. It's hard coming back at night," Ryan told RTÉ Sport.
"But hell, I was a semi-finalist at the Olympics! I got full advantage of it and really enjoyed it. It's just another chapter in the book I'm writing.
"I'm happy with the experience of it, but I'm not happy with my time. But it was so cool being out there."
Ryan's semi-final came hot on the heels of Katie Ledecky's stunning world record swim in the 400m freestyle, ensuring a raucous atmosphere in the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, and Ryan was delighted to take advantage of a rare opportunity for Ireland to feature in the swimming spotlight.
I don't know how many people were watching, millions, and it's great that I got Ireland's name out there.
He added: "I got some TV time! I don't know how many people were watching, millions, and it's great that I got Ireland's name out there. I'm really proud of that and honoured that I did do that.
"Hopefully no one's too mad at the time, but I did what I came here to do. I'll learn from it and move on."
Ryan still has two more events, with the 100m freestyle heats on the card on Tuesday, followed by Friday's 50m freestyle, and the charismatic American-born Laois man is targeting further entries in the Irish record books.
"It's a long meet, I'll be doing a lot more," he said. "Hopefully I can swim fast and go after some of the senior records, I'm looking forward to it. I'm just going out to have fun, that's it."
