Olympic debut 'crazy' for 16-year-old Davison

Grace Davison swam second in the team relay for Ireland

Sixteen-year-old swimmer Grace Davison says making her Olympic debut in Paris was "the biggest thing I've ever done".

Davison, who has just sat her GCSEs, swam with Danielle Hill, Erin Riordan and Victoria Catterson in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay.

In a raucous La Defense Arena, the Irish team finished eighth in a heat that contained the United States and Team GB.

"It is quite overwhelming the whole experience, but I've enjoyed every single minute of it," she told BBC Sport NI.

"This is crazy. It reminds me of going to a huge concert. I was at Taylor Swift a few weeks ago and it was pretty big."

Davison was completing her exams while undergoing Olympic trials and said that the Games in Paris were "definitely never in the plan".

"I was more looking at LA in 2028 and using that as a realistic target.

"To get the ticket to Paris this year was really special and I'll really use that as experience, and try to get to 2028 individually."

The County Down swimmer said balancing the swimming and GCSEs was "hard" as the possibility of reaching Paris suddenly became a reality.

"They took a toll on the swimming, but the swimming for me was a break from the exams. I've really enjoyed that and I've used it for fuel for my training," she said.

"If I can get through Olympic trials and exams then I can come here and do this. I'm excited to keep going."

'I've never witnessed any swim meet like it'

Victoria Catterson, Erin Riordan, Danielle Hill and Davison swam in an atmospheric arena

Hill, who will also compete in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle, said leading Ireland off in the relay was "pretty special".

"Swimmers become more than friends. They are more like family," Hill said.

"It's a really special occasion and we didn't have any relays in Tokyo, so to have two here with family is special."

Catterson, who was also making her Olympic debut, said it felt like the "stadium is on top of you" as she took in the atmosphere before her final leg.

"I've never witnessed any swim meet like this before," said the 23-year-old.

"It's just crazy. It's hard to get too excited, but you do try and take it in."