Cork Swimming: Awards keep coming for Jane Jolly

Cork’s Jane Jolly has truly had an exceptional year in 2024, establishing herself as a dominant force in Masters swimming on the global stage. 

She is the current World and European Masters Champion in the 3k Open Water event. 

Jane’s performances in 2024 have brought her widespread recognition, iration, and multiple accolades in the world of Masters swimming. 

Her journey through these championships has demonstrated not only her talent but also her deep commitment to the sport she loves.

The year began for Jane with her remarkable victory at the World Masters Championships in Doha in February, where she secured the gold medal in the 3k Open Water event. 

FIERCE

The competition was fierce, but Jane had targeted this event, following a bronze medal performance at the Europeans, in Rome in 2022. 

She travelled ahead of the Irish team so that she could acclimatise to the course and humidity in Doha, a tactic which ultimately reaped great rewards. 

Jane’s triumph in Doha highlighted her ability to remain calm and focused, mastering her technique even in the choppy waters on race day.

Alongside her gold medal in Open Water, Jane further demonstrated her versatility when she moved into the pool events, adding two bronze medals in the 800m and 400m Freestyle events. 

This accomplishment clearly demonstrated her strength in long-distance swimming, given the different pacing and tactical approaches required for pool competitions.

This solidified her reputation as an all-round athlete and a formidable competitor, earning respect not only from her peers, but also from swimming fans worldwide. 

Her achievements at the World Championships in Doha was recognised by The Echo, with the Women In Sport Star award for February.

Not resting on her laurels, Jane set her sights on the European Masters Championships in Belgrade, in July. 

Unfortunately, Jane sustained an injury which threatened her preparations for the European Championships and potentially threatened her ability to compete. 

With careful management and rehabilitation, she found a balance between her competitive drive while continuing to focus on her fitness, without aggravating the injury. 

She swam the 1.5k event as a precursor to her main event in an effort to judge her ability, post-injury over 3k. In true champion fashion, Jane won both events and was crowned double European Champion.

Competing and winning across these major international championships, within the same year speaks volumes about Jane’s dedication to maintaining peak physical condition and her unwavering commitment to excellence.

In recognition of her incredible accomplishments, Jane received a prestigious award from the University of Limerick Alumni. 

The Outstanding Achievement award acknowledged her inspirational journey as a Masters swimmer. 

The recognition from her alma mater was not only a celebration of her success in open water and pool swimming, but also a testament to her influence beyond her sport. 

As a role model for both aspiring athletes and her fellow alumni, Jane’s accomplishments highlight the values of hard work, resilience and ion that the University of Limerick promotes.

To cap off her phenomenal year, Jane was presented with the Swim Ireland Masters Award for 2024, an accolade that solidifies her standing as one of Ireland’s most accomplished Masters swimmers. 

The Swim Ireland Masters Award is a prestigious honour that recognises outstanding achievement and contribution to the sport, and Jane’s remarkable results this year made her a clear choice for this award. 

DEDICATION

Her victories and dedication have brought pride to Ireland’s swimming community and elevated the profile of Masters swimming in the country.

Reflecting on her achievements, Jane acknowledged that it was a unique year, with both World and European Championships falling in the same year, something that may never happen again. 

She was determined to capitalise on the opportunity. Jane has shown that she can excel on the World and European stage. 

Her successes serve as a reminder of the incredible heights that can be reached through dedication and resilience, and her influence on Masters swimming in Ireland and beyond will be felt for years to come.

As she concludes her remarkable year, Jane Jolly stands as an example of what it means to be a champion in every sense. 

She has achieved the highest honours in her sport, received accolades from her peers, her alma mater, Cork media and her country. 

For Jane, 2024 has indeed been an outstanding year, and her legacy as a world-class swimmer is now firmly established.