#136 Orla Comerford // Balancing Athletics & Art, Identity, Injuries, Paralympics & more

The Sideline Live Podcast

On episode 136 I am delighted to be joined by Paralympian sprinter Orla Comerford. At 11 years of age Orla’s eyesight deteriorated due to a condition called Stargardt's disease. She competes in the T13 category and competed in the 2016 and 2021 Paralympic Games. Off the track Orla is a visual Artist who recently graduated from NCAD. I originally heard Orla’s story at the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Coaching event in late 2022 and was inspired by the efforts of her coaches to keep her involved and included in all sports. Orla has experienced spiralling ankle injuries however is back to her peak as she finished 4th in the 2023 World Championships in Paris with a PB of 12.14. Her performance earned a spot in the 2024 Paralympics games. Orla is refreshingly honest as we discuss her journey to date, the incredible coaches she has had from a young age, identity as an athlete, balancing athletics & art and so much more. It was such a pleasure recording with Orla and I’m looking forward to keeping up with her journey! Enjoy 😊

Episode notes/Takeaways:

• The positive effect and influences that coaches can have on athletes. Orla’s swimming coach taught her class to count their strokes in the pool, rather than singling Orla out and asking her to do something different by herself. Her coach recognised Orla’s condition and involved the entire group allowing her to be included, without Orla knowing it was tailored for her.
• Accessible facilities: Orla makes a fantastic point of how the olympic village is built every 4 years to host the olympic & Paralympic Games and is completely accessible. However when she comes home to Ireland we lack accessible facilities. How can this be changed?
• Dream, Determination, Dedication, Damo - Raheny Shamrocks Underage Athletics coach
• “Think about the things you’re good at because you’re actually really good at them”… Orla worked with Jessie Barr, sports psychologist, in preparation for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and was unfortunately experiencing a run of injuries. Jessie and Orla worked on focusing on what she can control and acknowledge what you are good at when you’re spiralling in negative thoughts.