Water sports play a huge part in the Olympic Games. During week one of any Olympics we are treated to outstanding feats in the Olympic Aquatics Centre with swimmers powering to personal bests, national, Olympic and sometimes even world records. Week one also sees the rowers taking to the waters and racing to the finish line in perhaps the most punishing sport of all.

 

The divers take centre stage on week 2 and routinely take our breath away with their level of skill and athleticism.

 

There was special interest in Aquatics this year from an Irish perspective as we had a number of swimmers involved, not least Sligo woman Mona McSharry, who ended up becoming only the second Irish swimmer in history to reach an Olympic final.

 

On the waters of Enoshima, Ireland ended up with two medals, a bronze for the four of Aifric Keogh, Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe and Fiona Hegarty, and of course an unforgettable gold for Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy. It was well worth the 3am rise!

 

The children were given a flavour of Olympic aquatics through watching videos of Michael Phelps in the pool, synchronised diving with Tom Daley, the O’Donovans in Rio 2016 and I believe some classes also watched some synchronised swimming.

 

Naturally, we had to show a bit of imagination to cover Aquatics on site here at Ballyconnell, so a number of water-based activities were devised for the children. These included co-operative games, races and activities which required a steady hand.

 

Great fun was had by all and sundry (well, not that dry – many students had to use the spare change of clothes they brought in for the occasion!).

 

And that brought the curtain down on an action-packed ‘Ballyconnell 2021’.

 

Here’s looking forward to our 2022 Active Schools Week!