It's three years and two days since Mona McSharry competed in her maiden Olympic final.
It was the early hours of the morning Irish time that she swam that race in Tokyo. She finished eighth, but still it was a sign of ongoing progression. Since then she did go through a rather dark period in her life and thought about packing it in; swimming became something that was not important anymore.
Through words from her family and friends, she emerged out the other side. And now she seems to be tapering her performance to reach what is required. McSharry shaved a bit off her previous personal best in Sunday's semi-final of the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Games.
In Monday's final, she'll be up against the world record holder Lily King (1:04.13) and the Olympic equivalent Tatjana Smith (1:04.82). Also in the line-up will be China's Qianting Tang, seen as the favourite by many before these Games.
The atmosphere in the La Defense Arena on this Sunday evening, more so when Nicolo Martinenghi took gold in the men's 100m breaststrtoke and then home favourite Leon Marchand delivered in the 400m IM final, was phenomenal. USA cheers grew loudest when Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh won gold and silver respectively in the women's 100m butterfly final.
Marchand's medal presentation took place just before McSharry's semi. La Marseillaise rang out and all in the arena had to stand up.
There's a great theatricality to it all now, not just in swimming but in other sports, with beach volleyball, as imparted by one journalist on this trip no longer a sport but just "sheer entertainment and good fun". It's worth heading down to the Eiffel Tower then!
Part of the entertainment at the La Defense
Part of the Olympics show at the swimming #Paris2024 #RTESport #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/Aj5Vs6gUsP
— James McMahon (@mcmahon31j) July 28, 2024
The hope is that Mona McSharry will be driven along by the rollercoaster that is the raucous noises from the stands, with members of her own family and friends doing their bit to enhance the soundtrack.
From the village of Grange, Co Sligo, where Chris O'Donnell, a competitor on the track at these Olympics is also from, McSharry's formative years were at the Marlins Swim Club in Ballyshannon. Going to Tennessee progressed her career further. Away from the pool she was part of 'Team McSharry' that won 'Ireland's Fittest Family'.
After reaching three world medals, McSharry came away empty handed. That was February.
She admitted to feeling just a bit nervous before Sunday's heats. No doubt, she was still anxious as she stepped up on the blocks some hours later - but her focus on the job was obviously laser-like as she explained afterwards.
"I definitely think I swim my race better without focusing on too much around me. And I did go out a little bit slower, the first 50m, and that was probably being more relaxed which is not necessarily a bad thing because I came back faster. But, hopefully, I can put together the 50m from this morning and 50m from tonight tomorrow and see what happens."
Knocking a little bit more off her PB might be enough to deliver a gold medal - but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves.
The reality is, however, that Team Ireland could be celebrating a first medal in the pool since 1996. Much to celebrate then for Mona, her family and for all who guided her on that road from Grange to Ballyshannon, and now to the La Defense Arena that can't help but rock before, during, and after the swimmers have done their bit in the pool.
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