![\"Sharlene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4842606_3_articleinline_Shannon_20Sharlene_20362_1_.jpg\" "\\"Sharlene")
Sharlene Mawdsley, the new ambassador for Shannon Airport<\/p>\nFresh from being announced as an ambassador for Shannon Airport, Irish Olympian and European medallist Sharlene Mawdsley has been travelling at top speed both on and off the track.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Tipperary native, who helped Ireland to gold and silver in the 4x400m relay events last year, is now setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From family fun in Mallorca to racing through Tokyo and switching off in the Bahamas, she shares the memories that keep her grounded \u2014 even when she\u2019s flying high.<\/p>\n
Sharlene Mawdsley, the new ambassador for Shannon Airport<\/p>\n
I never have just one favourite memory when people ask me to pick one, because I have too many \u2014 which shows just how lucky I am!<\/p>\n
One that really stands out, though, is a holiday to Mallorca with my family and some close family friends.<\/p>\n
We all flew from Shannon to Palma, and I still remember the excitement of heading out to Shannon Airport together.<\/p>\n
It was such a fun start to the trip, and the laughs we had throughout the holiday are something we still talk about to this day.<\/p>\n
Flying from Shannon was always so easy \u2014 no stress, no long queues, just straight into holiday mode.<\/p>\n
Going to the sun was such a novelty when I was younger, so I appreciated it a lot.<\/p>\n
![\"Bahamas\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4842591_3_articleinline_iStock-519996769.jpg\" "\\"Bahamas\\"")
Bahamas<\/p>\n
My most memorable trip was probably to the Bahamas last year for the World Relay Championships.<\/p>\n
Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to get to travel the world with the work I do.<\/p>\n
The Bahamas was really eye-opening, but also amazing. We stayed in the Atlantis Hotel, and everything was just out of this world.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one I definitely won\u2019t forget in a hurry! Getting to meet local people in different places is always special, and I feel so blessed to have been in so many wonderful places.<\/p>\n
![\"Tokyo\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4842594_3_articleinline_iStock-1345059895.jpg\" "\\"Tokyo\\"")
Tokyo<\/p>\n
Tokyo. I didn\u2019t really know what to expect from Tokyo; the weather was crazy hot (I love that), and the place was beautiful and clean, and the people were so, so friendly.<\/p>\n
I was really pleasantly surprised by it.<\/p>\n
Tokyo had been a place I\u2019d wanted to visit for a long time, so I feel really blessed that my sport brought me there.<\/p>\n
The food was amazing! It was my first time having ramen, and sharing it with my team-mates made it even more special.<\/p>\n
![\"Atlantis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4842597_3_articleinline_iStock-544322730.jpg\" "\\"Atlantis")
Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.<\/p>\n
The Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was incredible.<\/p>\n
The rooms were beautiful, with stunning decor and plenty to do!<\/p>\n
The aquarium was the extent of our exploration until the competition ended, but afterwards, we headed to the beaches and a water park. It was definitely the most fun trip I\u2019ve had.<\/p>\n
Of course, it was made even better when we qualified to go to the Olympics, so I\u2019m a little bit biased with this hotel!<\/p>\n
![\"Sharlene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4842600_3_articleinline_Sharlene_Paris.jpeg\" "\\"Sharlene")
Sharlene Mawdsley in Paris<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t particularly have a favourite city in the world. But I do remember going to Paris in 2023 to try to fall in love with the city before the Olympics took place in 2024, and it really worked!<\/p>\n
I went during the Christmas period. The weather was dry but fresh and cold, and I explored everything I possibly could in the few days that we spent there. That was something really special.<\/p>\n
And, of course, it would be rude not to mention the shopping\u2026 I\u2019ll definitely be back!<\/p>\n
![\"Sushi:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4842603_3_articleinline_iStock-1053854124.jpg\" "\\"Sushi:")
Sushi: “I always told myself I hated it (until I actually tried it), and then I was pleasantly surprised.”<\/p>\n
Definitely trying sushi for the first time. I always told myself I hated it (until I actually tried it), and then I was pleasantly surprised.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s something I now look out for everywhere I go, and I love trying it from different places.<\/p>\n
Going to the beach. I feel like I mentally switch off when I have a book and go to the beach, spending the day there.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not something you get to do in Ireland very often, so I appreciate it so much when I\u2019m away.<\/p>\n
The food is also such an experience. I try to eat where the locals eat when I\u2019m abroad.<\/p>\n
Sometimes you can get trapped in touristy spots, and it never tastes the same as where the locals eat.<\/p>\n
None in particular. I\u2019m very fortunate to travel often and visit many places, so I don\u2019t really have a \u201clist\u201d per se.<\/p>\n
Instead, I have a list of places in my head to travel for six to nine months and explore many places \u2014 not backpacking, though. I\u2019m more of a \u201chotel stay\u201d kind of girl!<\/p>\n
I love getting to travel with running, because I appreciate the one or two days you have when you get a break from training.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d be lying if I said I get to see much of any city still. You try your best, but most of the time, I\u2019m heading to a cafe (and sometimes to get my nails done).<\/p>\n