Olympians inspiring a new generation of NI swimmers

Members of Danielle Hill's development squad that the Olympic competitor coaches

Miles from Paris, the summer Olympics are influencing a new generation of athletes in a council-owned pool in Northern Ireland.

Larne Leisure Centre is home to three Team Ireland swimmers - Danielle Hill, Daniel Wiffen and Conor Ferguson - who are hoping to go the extra length at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Their success is inspiring younger swimmers, who met at the club on Monday to cheer them on.

As Danielle powered through to qualify for the semi-final for the Women's 100 Metre Backstroke , at Larne Leisure Centre the children she coaches in her spare time gathered to watch her success.

Gillian Simpson, treasurer and competition secretary at Larne Swimming Club, told BBC News NI the "whole club was buzzing," adding that the team Danielle coaches is her "biggest fan club".

There are 38 athletes from Northern Ireland competing in the games, 32 for Team Ireland and 6 for Team GB.

The last athletes from Northern Ireland to win Olympic gold were Stephen Martin and Jimmy Kirkwood in 1988, who triumphed with Team GB's hockey team in Soeul.

'She is an inspiration'

Ms Hill combines her swimming career with a coaching role at Larne Swimming Club

"As a parent, she's an inspiration to not just all of the swimmers, but to all of us as well," said Ms Simpson.

Adding that it is a "privilege" to watch her train on a daily basis.

"She puts everything into her swimming."

Ms Hill became the first Team Ireland swimmer to win a long course gold medal in 27 years when she triumphed in the 50m backstroke in Belgrade in June.

The Paris Olympics is the 23-year-old's second Games, but in July she revealed that she had been "ready to walk away from the sport" after a difficult period.

Gillian Simpson is the treasurer and competition secretary at Larne Swimming Club

Hannah-Rose, a member of Ms Hill's development squad, says watching her coach compete at the Paris Olympics is "more nerve-wracking than exciting."

For Connor, his coach is "really inspiring," and the atmosphere she creates is "always very lively".

Another member of the team, Annabella, says Ms Hill is "an amazing coach".

"She's always super supportive, and she gives us such good advice," she said. "We love her."

It is not just members of her team who are singing Ms Hill's praises, but other members of the club.

Members of Team Ireland's aquatics team including Larne connected trio; Danielle Hill, Daniel Wiffen and Conor Ferguson

Club secretary Beth told BBC News NI: "Danielle is a class act inside and outside of the pool.

"She's an excellent role model for the children she coaches and for the adults that she trains."

Ms Hill's busy schedule has not interfered with her role as a coach.

"The Irish National Age Group Championships were held in Limerick around the second week of July, and despite all her training, preparing for the Olympics, she took the time to come and support seven of our swimmers," Beth told BBC News NI.

"She drove down, which is about a four-hour journey," she said.

"She gave the kids all her time and attention."

Great time for Larne

Alliance councillor and Danielle Hill 'superfan' Maeve Donnelly says "Larne is punching above its weight"

For Larne, having three swimmers associated with the swimming club is huge for the town.

Alliance councillor, and self-confessed Danielle Hill 'superfan', Maeve Donnelly, told BBC News NI the town is "punching above its weight".

"These three amazing young people are such an inspiration. There's loads of kids here today to watch them," she said.

"The roar when Danielle and Daniel were swimming earlier on was completely amazing to be a part of."

William Glover, duty officer at Larne Leisure Centre, said the OIympian's success has drawn attention to the club.

"There are lots of people coming in, especially today," he said.

"It's nice that the swimming club could put this on for their members, and also the public, to come in and watch Danielle swim."

Jack Baxter coaches with Danielle Hill

Jack Baxter, a swimming coach at the leisure centre, says he hopes the Larne representation in Paris will be beneficial for the town.

Mr Baxter told BBC News NI: "If you look at all the young swimmers we have and the inspiration that she's provided to all those young swimmers, there is someone to look up to."

"Larne is a very isolated place, and to have somebody competing who trains in Larne with the swimming club competing at such a high level really is fantastic," he added.

"They are just good role models for everybody."