Ellen Keane concluded her international career with a sixth place positioning at La Défense Arena in Paris earlier today. Her final performance was dedicated to her younger self, who made her first appearance in the Paralympics aged merely 13.
Despite being a five-time Paralympian, Keane was not anticipated to advance from her S9 100m backstroke heat, a prediction that came true as her time of 1:17.63 fell short of securing a place in the night’s final.
The 29-year-old swimmer, previously positioned fourth in her strongest race – the SB8 100m breaststroke, viewed the backstroke competition more as a farewell swim than a quest for her third Paralympic medal.
Reflecting on her experience, Keane expressed her gratitude for the abundance of affection and encouragement she received. Also mentioning that this love and support from her Dancing with the Stars family greatly buoyed her spirits.
Keane spoke of her concerns about leaving a world where she felt completely herself. She said: “In the Paralympic world, I’ve found my place. I hope I find a place I cherish as much when I retire from this sport.”
She also commented on the pleasure of participating in care-free events. Recalling how she had told Nicole [Turner] that she wishes she could continue swimming in competitions without feeling the pressure to qualify, reflecting the carefreeness of childhood.
Keane, the child-like exhilaration she witnessed during the race was reminiscent of her early days in the sport, filled with unbridled joy and anxiety. This exhilaration wasn’t shared only with the audience; it was a reminiscence of young Ellen’s enthusiastic love for swimming. Understandably, she felt emotional following the race, confessing that swimming had acted as a catalyst for positivity in her life.
She maintains that the sport has presented her with the self-assurance she possesses today, asserting that it has been fortunate to have ventured into swimming at the early stage she did. In addition, she empathises with people of similar ages, who despite suffering from disabilities like herself, struggle to find confidence and self-acceptance.
In a bid to promote inclusivity, confidence, and body positivity, Keane constantly vocalises her experiences in and passion for swimming. She recognises the universality of human emotions, regardless of the physical disparities that may exist between individuals. She thrives on repeating that without the discipline of sports, particularly swimming, her self-confidence would lack.
Keane, a Clontarf resident, marked a pivotal point of her career with the gold medal victory in Tokyo. However, she confesses that the Paralympics in Paris will forever hold a significant emotional position in her heart. She admitted that every Games is different, with Tokyo as her zenith in her professional life. Yet, the emotional highlights of Paris, filled with team spirit and affection will never lose their warmth.