Tyrone’s finest share their thoughts on the Olympics

WITH less than 48 hours until the Olympics Games get under way in Japan, Tyrone’s unprecedented representation of athletes have been making final preparations for their various disciplines.

For Ireland hockey player Shirley McCay it will be a last hurrah. Capped over 300 times for her country, the 33-year-old is relishing her first and last Games appearance in Tokyo.

She said, “The World Cup was incredible but to be part of the biggest multi sport event in the world is historic and I cant wait to get started!”

Aughnacloy’s Rebecca Edwards is a member of the GB women’s eight rowing team and she said that the last few days have been spent fine tunning things on the boating lake.

“It’s the small tweaks now to improve our timing and speed. These are the little things that can make all the difference,” said the 27-year-old.

Eilish Flanagan, from Gortin, who runs for Ireland in the 3000m steeplechase after qualifying late in the day, is still pinching herself that she is competing on the biggest sporting stage of them all.

“Yeah I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” she said.

“It’s taken years to get here and I never really imagined getting to the Olympic Games.”

Two Cookstown natives Ian Sloan and David Ames are taking part in their second games as members of the GB’s hockey team.

SPECIAL FEATURE INCLUDING IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL TYRONE REPRESENTATIVES IN TOMORROW’S ULSTER HERALD.