TOKYO – Former Penn State swimmer Shane Ryan (2017 graduate) competed for Ireland in the prelims of the 4x200 Freestyle Relay as he made his debut at the 2020 Olympic Games on Tuesday morning.
Ryan served as the anchor and notched a split of 1:49.08 on his part of the 4x200 Freestyle Relay as Ireland finished with a 7:15.48. The Irish placed eighth in their heat and 14th overall, falling short of the cut for the final.
While he's in Tokyo, Ryan will also race in the 100 Butterfly. The 100 Butterfly prelims and semifinals will be held on Thursday with the final on Friday night.
The Havertown, Pennsylvania, native is competing for Ireland, where his father originally hails from and Ryan gained residency. After reaching the semifinals in the 100 back at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he has also won gold in the 50 back at the 2017 World University Games and earned bronze in the event at both the 2018 World Short Course Championships and 2018 European Long Course Championships.
During his time as a Nittany Lion, Ryan was a five-time gold medalist at the Big Ten Championships in the 100 back ('14, '15, '17) and the 100 free ('14, '17). He was named the 2014 Swimmer of the Big Ten Championships for his five podium finishes in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. Ryan also had two NCAA Championship podium finishes in his career after setting a school-record and winning silver in the 100 back ('14) and winning bronze a year later in the same event. He still holds the school record in six events (50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 200 & 400 medley relay and 400 free relay).
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Shane Ryan Competition Schedule
100 Butterfly
Thursday, 7/29 – 6:50 am ET prelim/9:30 pm ET semifinals
Friday, 7/30 – 9:30 pm ET final
