Orla Comerford is a three-time Paralympian, having won a bronze medal in the 100m S13 category (for visually impaired athletes) at the 2024 Paris Games with a time of 11.94 seconds. In 2018, she secured bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events at the Para-Athletics Championships. After facing a challenging period due to injuries, Orla made a strong comeback in 2023 by placing fourth at the Para Athletics World Championships, earning her qualifying spot for Paris 2024. Active since age six with Raheny Shamrock, her vision began to deteriorate around age 11 due to Stargardt disease, a degenerative condition affecting central vision. She made her Paralympic debut at age 18 during the Rio 2016 Games and served as one of Ireland's flag bearers at the 2024 Paris Paralympics opening ceremony. In addition to her athletic pursuits, Orla is a talented artist with a BA in Fine Art Media who works part-time at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, drawing inspiration from her unique visual experiences.

Areas of Expertise

• Resilience in the Face of Adversity - Overcoming injuries and setbacks through mental strength and determination

• Living with Visual Impairment - Insights into Stargardt disease and adaptations in sports and daily life

• The Importance of Inclusion in Sports - Advocating for greater inclusion and opportunities for athletes with disabilities

• Goal Setting and Achievement - Strategies for setting and achieving goals drawn from Paralympic competition experience