Mona McSharry Reflects on 'Uncharted Waters' as Sligo Swimmer Eyes 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Mona McSharry has described her current career phase as being in "uncharted waters" as she adjusts to life after the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle, having won three bronze medals at the 2026 European Aquatics Championships in Paris and set a new national record in the 200m breaststroke earlier this year — with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics now firmly in her sights.
Background
Mona McSharry's journey from the swimming pools of Grange, County Sligo, to the Olympic podium in Paris has been one of the most compelling stories in Irish sport over the past decade. The 26-year-old, who balanced her competitive career with studies at the University of Tennessee, became one of Ireland's most decorated swimmers when she won bronze in the 100m breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics — a performance that confirmed her status as one of the best breaststroke swimmers in the world and brought her story to a national audience that had previously been largely unaware of her achievements.
The Paris Olympics represented the culmination of years of sacrifice and dedication, and the period that follows a major career milestone is often one of the most psychologically challenging for elite athletes. The clarity of purpose that comes with a defined goal — qualifying for the Olympics, performing at the Games — gives way to a more ambiguous phase in which the athlete must redefine their motivations and set new targets. McSharry has spoken candidly about navigating this transition, describing it as a period of genuine uncertainty about what comes next.
Her performances in 2026 have demonstrated that the Paris bronze was not a peak but a platform. At the European Aquatics Championships in Paris in August, she won bronze medals in the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke, and contributed to a national record time of 3:57.26 in the 4x100m medley relay. Earlier in the year, at the Irish Open Championships in April, she set a new national record in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:22.22 — a performance that suggests she is still improving despite being in the post-Olympic transition phase.
Key Developments
In an interview published on Tuesday, McSharry described her current state as being in "uncharted waters" regarding her career planning. Having successfully met her goals leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle, she is now adjusting her focus toward future objectives, specifically the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The four-year cycle between Olympics provides a natural framework for elite swimmers, but the period immediately after a Games — when the next cycle has not yet fully begun — can feel directionless.
McSharry has expressed interest in life beyond competitive swimming, including potential work on the family farm in Sligo and providing coaching or clinics for the next generation of swimmers. She has spoken about the importance of giving back to the sport that has given her so much, and of using her profile and experience to inspire young swimmers in Connacht and beyond. The Sligo Swim Club, where she first learned to swim, has seen a significant increase in membership since her Paris bronze, and McSharry has been involved in outreach activities with the club during her time at home.
On the competitive front, McSharry's focus for the remainder of 2026 is on maintaining her form and fitness through the winter training block, with the 2027 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore the next major target on the international calendar. A strong performance in Singapore would confirm her status as a genuine medal contender for Los Angeles and would help to maintain the momentum she has built since Paris.
Why It Matters
McSharry's story matters for Irish sport beyond the medals and the records. She represents a model of athletic development that is increasingly rare in an era of professionalised sport: a swimmer who combined elite competition with academic study, who maintained her connection to her home community in Sligo throughout her career, and who has used her success to inspire participation in a sport that has historically struggled to attract and retain talent in Ireland. Her willingness to speak openly about the psychological challenges of elite sport — including the disorientation that follows a major career milestone — is also valuable, providing a more honest account of what it means to be an elite athlete than the carefully managed public personas that often dominate sports coverage.
For swimming in Ireland, McSharry's continued success is essential to maintaining the momentum that her Paris bronze generated. Swimming has historically been one of Ireland's most successful Olympic sports, but it has struggled to sustain public interest between Games. McSharry's profile and her willingness to engage with the media and with the public provide a platform for the sport that it would not otherwise have.
Local Impact
In Sligo, McSharry's success has had a tangible impact on participation in swimming. The Sligo Swim Club has reported a significant increase in membership since the Paris Olympics, with particular growth in the underage sections. The club has used McSharry's story as a recruitment tool, and her occasional appearances at training sessions and club events have generated enormous enthusiasm among young swimmers. The broader Connacht swimming community has also benefited from her success, with clubs in Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon reporting increased interest from parents and young people who have been inspired by her achievements. Sport Ireland has cited McSharry's story as an example of the impact that elite success can have on grassroots participation.
What's Next
McSharry's winter training block will begin in October, with the programme designed to build the aerobic base and technical refinement that will underpin her 2027 season. The World Aquatics Championships in Singapore are scheduled for July 2027, and McSharry is expected to compete in the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke events. Her coaching team at Swim Ireland will work with her to develop a periodisation plan that peaks for Singapore while also maintaining the form needed for the European Championships and other international competitions in the intervening period. A decision on whether to continue her involvement with the University of Tennessee programme or to base herself full-time in Ireland is expected before the end of the year.
