Barry Murphy (swimmer) facts for kids
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's swimming | ||
Representing  Ireland |
||
| European Championships (SC) | ||
| Bronze | 2013 Herning | 50 m breaststroke |
Barry Murphy (born 5 October 1985) is an Irish swimmer from Dublin, Ireland. He is known for setting many Irish national records in swimming. Barry also represented Ireland at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Barry went to Belvedere College in Dublin. He was a member of the Aer Lingus Swimming Club. In 2005, he moved to the USA to attend the University of Tennessee. There, he competed for the Tennessee Volunteers swim team.
Contents
Swimming Achievements
Early Records: 2006-2008
In 2006, Barry broke two Irish records at the Irish Open Short Course Championships. He set new times for the 100 m freestyle and the 100 m individual medley. A week later, at the 2006 European Championships in Aquatics in Budapest, he broke more records. These included the 50 m freestyle and the 100 m freestyle.
At the 2008 European Short Course Championships, Barry broke four Irish records. He improved his own 50 m freestyle record twice. He also broke the 100 m breaststroke record and his own 100 m freestyle and 100 m individual medley records. In the 50 m breaststroke, he finished 4th, just missing a medal.
University and World Championships: 2009
In 2009, Barry set a new record for the University of Tennessee in the 50 yard freestyle.
Later that year, at the World Swimming Championships in Rome, Barry made history. He became the first Irishman to swim the 100 m freestyle in under 50 seconds. He did this while leading off the Irish 4 × 100 m freestyle relay team. The relay team also set a new Irish record.
Barry also tied the Irish record for the 100 m breaststroke. In the 50 m breaststroke, he set a new World Championship record and Irish record. This amazing swim qualified him for the semi-final, making him the first Irishman to reach this stage.
Training and European Success: 2010-2011
After university, Barry moved to Michigan, USA. He trained with the Club Wolverine International Elite Team. This group helps top swimmers improve and promote the sport.
In 2010, Barry competed at the European Swimming Championships in Budapest. He made it to the final of the 50 m breaststroke. This was the first time an Irishman had reached a sprint final at a European Championship. His semi-final time was ranked 6th in the world at that time.
In March 2011, Barry won a gold medal at the Indianapolis Grand Prix in the USA. His time in the 100 m breaststroke was a new Irish senior record. This time also qualified him for the London 2012 Olympics. He was one of the first Irish athletes to qualify for the London Games.
London Olympics: 2012
Barry trained hard for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He qualified for two events: the 50 m freestyle and the 100 m breaststroke. He finished in 29th place in both events.
Helping Others: Charity Work
In 2012, Barry Murphy became an ambassador for the Asthma Society of Ireland. He was diagnosed with asthma at age fifteen. Barry manages his asthma well with help from healthcare professionals. In August 2012, he helped launch 'Asthma Coach'. This is an iPhone App designed to help people manage their asthma.
