Barry McClements facts for kids
| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Born | 6 December 2001 (age 23) Dundonald, County Down, Northern Ireland |
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| Height | 179 cm | ||||||||||
| Weight | 69 kg | ||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||
| Country | Ireland / Northern Ireland | ||||||||||
| Sport | Para swimming | ||||||||||
| Disability class | S9, SB8, SM9 S10 |
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| Event(s) | backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, individual medley | ||||||||||
| Club | Ards Swimming Club | ||||||||||
| Coached by | Davy Johnston | ||||||||||
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Medal record
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Barry McClements is a talented para swimmer from Newtownards, Northern Ireland. He was born on December 6, 2001. Barry is known for his amazing swimming skills and for representing his country in big competitions. He has achieved great success in para swimming, showing incredible determination and strength.
Contents
Barry's Early Life and Start in Swimming
Barry McClements was born with a condition called fibular hemimelia. This means a part of the fibula bone in his leg was missing. When he was just 10 months old, his right leg was amputated above the knee. This did not stop him from pursuing sports.
Understanding Para Swimming Classifications
In para swimming, athletes are grouped into different classes based on their physical abilities. This makes sure competitions are fair. Barry competes in the disability class S9, SB8, and SM9. These classifications help define which events he can enter.
Major Competitions and Achievements
Barry McClements has competed in several important international swimming events. He has proudly represented both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Competing at the Paralympics
Barry represented Ireland at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. These games were held in 2021 due to a delay. His best result there was finishing seventh in the 100 metre backstroke S9 event. This was a fantastic achievement on such a big stage.
Commonwealth Games Success
In 2022, Barry won a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He competed in the 100 metre backstroke S9 event. This made him the first swimmer from Northern Ireland to win a medal in swimming at the Commonwealth Games. It was a historic moment for him and his country.
European Championships Medal
Barry continued his success by winning another bronze medal. He earned this at the Para Swimming European Championships in 2024. He showed great skill by winning from lane 8, which is often a challenging position.
