MacCombe twins relishing 'amazing' Paralympics debut

Judith MacCombe says "it's each a spot surreal" arsenic she and her copy sister Chloe hole to make their first quality astatine nan Paralympics.

The 29-year-olds from Claudy, who person a ocular impairment, will compete for Team Ireland successful nan Para Triathlon successful Paris.

Chloe won a metallic badge astatine nan Commonwealth Games 2 years agone pinch Judith finishing 4th successful Birmingham.

Now they are looking guardant to making nan their debut connected nan biggest shape of all.

"It's incredible, it's specified an astonishing acquisition and a privilege - everyone talks astir bringing location medals but for maine moreover to guidelines connected nan commencement statement successful Paris is specified an achievement," said Chloe.

That position was echoed by Judith, who is ninth successful nan world rankings.

"If you asked maine past twelvemonth astir Paris and nan Paralympics I astir apt would person laughed aliases cried - I didn't deliberation it was possible," she said.

"But present we are and it's each a spot surreal. It's conscionable a existent privilege to beryllium astatine that commencement statement and opportunity we are Paralympians, to beryllium considered nan champion successful nan world astatine our athletics - it's great."

Chloe made nan podium successful Birmingham pinch Catherine Sands arsenic her guideline and they will proceed successful Paris while Judith will person Eimear Nicholl by her side.

There is an constituent of rivalry betwixt nan sisters, who took up triathlon conscionable 5 years ago, but that's outweighed by a desire for each different to succeed.

"Sibling rivalry is ever really beardown but we ever push each different connected and promote 1 another," added Judith.

"It's a existent operation of emotions. I want to hit Chloe but astatine nan aforesaid clip if she comes past maine I would beryllium happy for her. We're some going to spell retired connected nan time and springiness 100%."

Both are successful bully style for nan situation that comes pinch nan energy-sapping swimming, cycling and moving event.

However, nan modular person risen successful caller years and winning a badge would beryllium a monolithic achievement.

World number 3 Chloe said: "Everyone is retired location aiming for a badge - for maine it's astir crossing nan statement knowing I've fixed 100%. That's capable for maine and I'll beryllium happy pinch that.

"You are pushing yourself to your body's limits. I'm racing amended than I person been truthful it will beryllium a tougher title but if thing that makes it a spot much fun, a spot much enjoyable.

Judith is wished to person nary regrets aft her debut performance.

"It's astir conscionable knowing I'd near everything retired there, hopefully staggering crossed nan statement arsenic I'd fixed truthful much.

"We wouldn't beryllium elite athletes if we weren't aiming for nan podium successful each title but thing tin hap connected title day. You ever person that successful your sights but you conscionable spell retired location and title hard."