Mona McSharry's Olympics came to a close on Saturday morning, as the breaststroke bronze medallist made up part of Ireland's 4x100m medley relay team.
McSharry swam the breaststroke leg of the medley relay, with Ellen Walshe, Diane Hill, and 16-year-old Grace Davison completing the Irish quartet.
It was not to be for the Irish swimmers, who finished in sixth place in their heat despite setting a brilliant Irish record time of 4:00.12.
Ireland had briefly sat in third after McSharry's breaststroke leg, and the Sligo native comes back from Paris a national hero after her exploits in claiming bronze earlier this week.
However, the 23-year-old hinted after the relay that Paris could be her last Olympics in her post-race interview with RTÉ. It was a suggestion that the rest of the Irish relay team were not interested in hearing.
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Mona McSharry suggests Paris could be her last Olympics
Mona McSharry is a two-time Olympian at just 23 years of age but the bronze medal hero suggested after her final race in Paris that she may not become a three-time Olympian in LA in 2028.
Paris 2024: Paul O'Flynn speaks to the Irish team who are fresh from breaking the national 4x100m medley record. Grace Davison, at 16, is eager for more, while pressure grows on Mona McSharry to stay. #Paris2024
📺 Watch https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Updates https://t.co/7oDcUYslbX pic.twitter.com/CNlnr6pqHe— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 3, 2024
RTÉ spoke to the Irish relay crew poolside after their heat in Paris' La Défense Arena, and Mona McSharry said that she felt it could have been her last Olympic race.
It was great [to finish off with the relay]. I couldn't have asked for a better finish. We were all having a great time in the prep area this morning having a bit of fun.
I think to be able to finish off the week getting an Irish senior record was great.
It's been a rollercoaster, some highs, some more disappointing moments but overall I'm super happy and sort of sad that it's over. I'm excited to take a little break.
With all the training and the dreams and knowing that this is most likely my last Olympics, I'm really happy to be able to come away with a medal.
I'll be excited to go to LA and watch these ladies shine.
Her Irish teammates were not having her suggestion that she will not be competing in LA.
When McSharry first said that this was "likely" to be her last Olympics, Ellen Walshe interjected by simply saying, 'It's not,' before later saying, 'She'll be here with us,' when McSharry said she would be watching on in Los Angeles.
Diane Hill jokingly suggested that McSharry could switch disciplines to breakdancing after supposedly showing off her moves in the prep area this morning.
Regardless, it is clear that Mona McSharry's teammates want her to stick around and it's easy to see why.
fter her brilliant exploits in the pool this week, Irish fans will join them in hoping that we see McSharry in the pool in four years' time.
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