Olympian swimmer Nicholas Quinn is Young Mayo Person of the Year 2017
MAYO Olympian swimmer Nicholas Quinn has been named the inaugural winner of the Young Mayo Person of the Year 2017 by Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath.
The Castlebar sportsman impressed the adjudication panel by the multiple awards and achievements he has attained consistently since 2008 as well as his attainment of the Olympic standard.
Nicholas is only the sixth Mayo person to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Nicholas achieved a childhood dream to compete at the top of his sport by representing his town, his county and his country at the Rio Olympic Games in the summer of 2016. At the age of 23 he competed in the world’s greatest sporting event.
The ciutation continued: “Like everything in life this is not an overnight story but rather one that saw natural talent see its true glory, thanks to years of persistent hard work.
'For Nicholas, the childhood dream became tangible goal and ultimately a reality thanks to sheer determination and perseverance, and that was just to get up at 5 a.m. every morning for training.
“Throughout his life, Nicholas was a sports fanatic. Hurling, football, swimming whatever he did he gave it all he had. But like all teenagers’ choices had to be made as the juggle between life and sport forces priorities.
'Although being from Mayo the love of GAA is genetically embedded into us all, for Nicholas swimming came out on top. Like all clubs its true spirit is in its members and Nicholas gave back to its members as an older swimmer teaching younger members.
'There are certainly a few swimmers in Castlebar who can now say they were taught to swim by an Olympian. Nicholas has been described as possessing elements of steel and determination.
'His focus was not just evident in sport but also in life. Nicholas’s academic achievements of maximum points in his Leaving Certificate while competing at the highest-level display to every young person that sport and study can work in tandem with one another.
Nicholas is now studying at university in Edinburgh where he can avail of first class training facilities to assist in achieving his goals. His dedication, commitment and determination shine through and Nicholas leads by example.
The inspiration and leadership that this provides to young people is truly significant and makes him a worthy winner of the Inaugural award of Young Mayo Person of the Year 2017.”
The award will be presented at a gala function in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin, on Friday night, February 10.