Shane Ryan

Shane Patrick Ryan (born 27 January 1994) is an American-born retired swimmer who competed internationally for Ireland.

Career Ryan was a 16-time All-American and 11-time All-State honoree as a swimmer for Haverford Senior High School. He was a member of the US National Junior Team in 2010–11 and 2011–12.

Ryan initially competed at the US Olympics trials in 2012, finishing in 28th, which did not qualify him for the US team. He subsequently switched his allegiance to Ireland. Ryan qualified to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics by swimming under the Olympic Qualifying time in the 100m backstroke at the Swim Ulster Dave McCullagh Meet in March 2016.

College Ryan competed collegiately for Penn State where he set school records in the 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle and 100 meter backstroke. He won Big Ten Conference championships in the 100 meter backstroke in 2014 and 2015 and the 100 meter freestyle in 2014.

At the 2016 Olympics, he made it out of the heats of the 100m backstroke to qualify for the semi-finals with a personal-best time of 53.85. He finished in last place in the semifinal.

Other In September 2017 at the 2017 University Games, Ryan won the gold medal in the 50m backstroke.

In August 2018 at the 2018 European Championships, Ryan took bronze in the 50 m backstroke.

Ryan participated in the 2026 Enhanced Games. +Olympic ResultsYear50m Free100m Free100m Back100m +World Championship ResultsYear50m Free100m Free50m Back50m Fly100m

Personal life Ryan's father, Thomas, emigrated from Portarlington, County Laois, in the 1980s; Ryan has Irish citizenship through him and can therefore swim under the Irish flag. His mother, Mary Beth Bonner, is also of Irish descent and won the Miss Mayo pageant in 1986. Ryan was raised in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and graduated with a degree in sports management at Penn State University.