Tully’s Tokyo redemption as she achieves her golden dream in Paris

Tully Kearney said her victory in the Paris 2024 Paralympics was redemption for her narrow defeat at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Kearney triumphed in the Women’s 200m Freestyle S5 final – three years after missing out on the top spot by 0.12 seconds.

The 27-year-old was in contention throughout but it was an impressive final turn that gave her the advantage in the last 50m.

She was trailing Ukraine’s Iryna Poida as they reached the wall at the 150m stage but Kearney had a body length advantage as they headed for home.

It proved to be enough as she powered down the last length to hold off a late charge from Poida and finish in a time of 2:46.50 – 3.40 quicker than her morning heat time.

A delighted Kearney, who also won gold in the Women’s 100m Freestyle S5 in Tokyo, said: “I’m a bit speechless.

“It [feels like] it hasn’t happened and this is a dream. 

“After the 200 Free in Tokyo, I felt like I needed a bit of redemption and that was definitely that.

“Every time I’ve talked to schools and I’ve taken in my medals, I always get annoyed about that silver.

“I really wanted gold so I’ve finally been able to to come back and achieve that.

 “It was pretty hard. Those girls, especially the Ukrainan, went out so quick. They gave me a run for my money.

“I wasn’t quite sure where it’d be fitness wise and I’m really happy with that time.

“I knew that my advantage over these girls was gonna be the turn and when I saw how close I was to the others that I knew that last turn I had to really nail.

“I feel like I did and that definitely won me the race.”