Northern Ireland

Olympics: Brother of Co Down swimmer Jack McMillan ‘absolutely ecstatic’ for new Olympic champion

The Bangor athlete swam in the Olympic 4x200m freestyle heats for Team GB

Jack McMillan during the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay heats at the Paris La Defense Arena on the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. PICTURE: JOHN WALTON/PA WIRE
Jack McMillan during the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay heats at the Paris La Defense Arena on the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. PICTURE: JOHN WALTON/PA WIRE
By Suzanne McGonagle

The brother of Co Down swimmer and Olympic gold medallist Jack McMillan has said he is “absolutely ecstatic”.

The Bangor athlete (24) “really did put on a show”, said his brother Leo, after he swam in the Olympic 4x200m freestyle heats for Team GB on Tuesday.

McMillan’s role was to ensure the men’s team reached the final, which he did in style as he swam faster than the Tokyo individual 200m freestyle champion Tom Dean.

The final was later won by Team GB swimmers Matt Richards, James Guy, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott with McMillan still securing a medal after taking part in the qualifying heats.

(L-R) Great Britain's Duncan Scott, James Guy, Matthew Richards and Tom Dean pose with their gold medals after winning the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final at the Paris La Defense Arena on the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Tuesday July 30, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire.
(L-R) Great Britain's Duncan Scott, James Guy, Matthew Richards and Tom Dean pose with their gold medals after winning the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final. PICTURE: JOHN WALTON/PA WIRE

McMillan, who is based at the University of Stirling, had finished fifth at the Olympic trials and was selected as a relay-only swimmer for Paris.

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It was his second appearance at a games after he had previously competed for Ireland in Tokyo.

Speaking after the final said: “The atmosphere here is just unbelievable, it’s incredible.

“It’s my first Olympics with Team GB, so I’m pretty proud of myself for getting here and obviously for the team.”

While he may not have made it onto the winner’s podium, McMillan’s brother Leo said he had played his part in the heat.

“He really didn’t have any nerves and neither did I going into it, I just have full confidence in him,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“I thought he was going to do really well and he did.

“We were absolutely ecstatic last night and even this morning. I’m just so proud of him.

“Obviously, it would have been nice to see him stand on the podium, but the performance itself in the heat was amazing.

“And he really did put on a show.”

ITS GOLD FOR JACK 🥇 Jack McMillan (RBAI 2011-18) and his Team GB 4x200m Freestyle teammates win gold in Paris. A phenomenal achievement, we are all very proud of you 👏

Posted by The Royal Belfast Academical Institution on Tuesday 30 July 2024

A former pupil of Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the school praised the swimmer following the final on Tuesday.

In a post on social media, the school said: “It’s gold for Jack.

“A phenomenal achievement, we are all very proud of you.”