Ellen Keane reckons it was written in the stars that she would get Covid just a few weeks out from the Para Swimming World Championships.
Having dodged the virus for two years, the Tokyo gold winner suddenly fell ill during a training session seven days ago and is in a race against time to be fit for the championships in Madeira from June 12.
"I actually just think I was meant to get it," said Keane, who described how antigens and masks had been dropped in for the swimmers on the same day she fell ill during a session ahead of the upcoming championships.
"But it's not ideal, it's really disappointing in terms of the World Championships and the timing of it all."
Her team-mates fly to Fuerteventura today for a training camp but Keane must wait for two negative tests before she can join them.
The 27-year-old was concerned that her Dancing With The Stars appearance would affect her fitness, but she was in good shape before Covid hit.
What worries her is that her speedwork training was just about to start when her training came to an abrupt halt.
"My parents weren’t able to be there in Tokyo and they’re finally going to get to go," she said.
"It’s even more disappointing now that I'm a bit sick, I don’t know how it’s going to affect the result but just knowing I’ll be able to get out there, as much for them as anything, is good."
Keane confirmed that, having fulfilled her ambition by winning Paralympic gold, she will definitely be going to Paris 2024.
"Yeah, it’s been an absolute whirlwind," she said. "It’s mad thinking about Tokyo, it seems like a dream, and the difference in the world since.
"I remember in the lead up to Tokyo I was questioning whether I’d retire, or whether I’d stay, and then as soon as I finished my final race in Tokyo I said, 'nah, I need to go to Paris, I need to do this one more time.'
"I always say I go into each Games a different person, and now I’m going into these games as a gold medallist.
"I know what it takes, and when you know you’ve done it before, there’s kind of a piece of mind there, as long as you look after yourself, do everything you’re supposed to do, anything is possible."
*Paralympic gold medallist, Ellen Keane has been unveiled as a new Dublin City Council Sports Ambassador as part of a new three-year deal.
