Emer Dunne was among the Irish youths who were the toast of youth swimming championships in the late 80s and early 90s, along with Gary O’Toole and Michelle Smith. Her championship days were interrupted at age 17 due to a back injury, but her true sporting life and times had not begun.

She started swimming at six or seven years of age and joined the swimming club, Rags. Johnny Powell, who is now a coach with the Athlone Swimming Club, used to open the door for us all at that hour.

Emer was only 16 when she had won more than what was required at the National Age Group Championships to get on the youth Olympic team in 1991. She won two gold medals and two silver medals in the Championships.

She studied recreational leisure management in Cork IT ’93-’95 and studied physical therapy at the Milltown Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science ’96-’99.

She worked full-time in the Merrion Hotel leisure center to pay her way in the physical therapy course. After graduation, Emer set up her business clinic with two other therapists in Leopardstown, and the successful business continued for four years.

She also works with the Ashbourne Rugby team and the Blackrock School rugby team doing sports massage work for the athletes simultaneously. At the same time, she worked part-time as a Gym and Aerobics instructor in Friarsland gym in Clonskeagh. Emer also does a radio slot about once a month on Paul Gill’s show on the i105 radio station, on the theme of relationships.

Independent People: Olympic spirit | Westmeath Independent

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