‘I was in a dark and lonely place’ – Hill

“At the beginning of the season I was ready to walk away from the sport.

“I didn’t want to go back, I was in a very sad, dark and lonely place.”

Words that convey how close Team Ireland swimmer Danielle Hill came to dropping out of the elite level of competition that ultimately brought her a European gold medal this summer and will see her compete in her second Olympic Games in Paris.

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 a time of 27.73 seconds, the biggest win of her career.

Later that week, the 24-year-old added a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke final.

Right now, though, Hill’s attention is focused on this summer’s Olympic Games in France, an experience that might not have been in sight were it not for the intervention of a former Irish Olympian.

“I didn’t swim for six weeks. When I took a step back, all I wanted to do was get back into it, but mentally I wasn’t there,” explained the Larne woman.

“It was dark and I felt alone, but I had the right support, I reached out and got the help I needed.

“We brought in Jessie Barr, who is a former Olympian (an athlete who participated in the London 2012 Games), and in the first conversation we had, all she did was listen. I think I was crying throughout the entire session.”

‘Unlocking the emotional Danielle’

That encounter was a turning point for Hill and he is now focused on enjoying swimming.

“I walked away and immediately wanted to get in the water and we knew from that moment that it was the right move and that this was something that was going to unlock the emotional Danielle that not everyone sees.

“This was brewing for a couple of years, hidden by the fact that I went to the Commonwealth Games, I went to the World Championships. I was struggling, it’s part of sport, it’s part of life, but pushing myself was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.

“Then we had to learn that we have to move forward step by step, day by day, and fortunately now we are reaping the rewards.”

The County Antrim woman says the prospect that competing in a top-level sport “could end at any moment” gives her extra motivation.

“It’s about living in the moment, enjoying it. When I go out to play, I do it for myself, for my friends, for my family, for my teammates.

“It’s much more important than winning medals. I’m going to the Olympics and sport can give you a lot.”

“It’s like they’re talking about someone else”

Hill says success at the European Championships was not something she expected, but it has provided the perfect springboard for Olympic competition.

“I still haven’t fully assimilated it. People tell me this and it’s like they’re talking about someone else.

“I had no expectations. It’s a very special feeling that I want to take with me to Paris.

“Peter (Hill, Danielle’s coach) and I have very high expectations right now. Medals and places aren’t guaranteed, so I have to go out there and do the times I’ve been doing, repeat the performances I’ve had and try to get through the rounds and see how far we can go.”

Having competed at the Tokyo Games, Hill is determined to savour the moment once again at the top of her sport.

“I would love to leave as a finalist, I would love to leave as a double finalist, but the 50m freestyle wasn’t even in my sights for going to Paris, so that’s the icing on the cake.

“I’ll just stand back from the block, look out into the crowd and see Mom and Dad there to start, and we’ll see what we can do from there.”

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