Ellen Keane

Ellen Keane

Paralympic Medallist: 21-year-old native of Clontarf, Dublin is a three time Paralympian. She won her first Paralympic medal, claiming bronze in the SB8 100m breaststroke at the Rio Games, 2016.

She also swam lifetime bests finishing 8th in both the S9 100m Backstroke and Butterfly finals.

Ireland’s youngest Paralympic athlete: At 13, she swam in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and made the final in the 100m breaststroke. At the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, she made three finals.

Multiply Medal Winner: Won two Bronze medals at  2013 IPC World Championships in Montreal. In Glasgow in 2015, she took a bronze medal in the 200m Individual Medley final (SM9) setting a new lifetime best.

World Series: In 2017,  she is competing in a new World Para Swimming series at four events worldwide.

A Shining Light for Paralympic Sport: “In the pool, there’s nowhere to hide. All you have is your swimsuit, your hat and goggles. This put me in a situation where I had to overcome my insecurities. I also got to meet some great girls from all over the world who are exactly the same as me”

Columnist: Wrote a monthly blog throughout the build-up and aftermath of the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Foodie: Studying Culinary Entrepreneurship in DIT, Ellen would like to specialise in sports nutrition and new product development when she graduates. She loves fresh healthy food and is a mean baker too!

Fashionista: Loves style & fashion and is still on the hunt for the ultimate waterproof mascara

Let’s Dance:  Did competitive hip-hop dancing and won several trophies but had to choose between swimming and dancing. Her secret talent is that she can do the worm.

The Missing Medal: After completing her  Leaving Certificate, she had three 4^th place finishes at the IPC European Championships.  She also 2016 European Championships but there was no podium joy. She’s hoping to change that when Dublin host the European Paralympic Swimming Championships in 2018.

Nickname: Nemo- Because she too has a lucky fin.