Double gold glory for Jason Smyth

Published Friday, 07 September 2012
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Eglinton sprinter Jason Smyth has lived up to his nickname as the 'Usain Bolt' of the Paralympics after completing the London 2012 sprint double in record time.

Double gold glory for Jason Smyth
Jason Smyth celebrates with his Gold medal on the podium (© PA)

The 25-year-old has confirmed yet again that he is the fastest Paralympian in the world by adding the 200m crown to his 100m title in another dominant display on Friday night.

He also smashed the world record for the third time in four races at the Olympic Stadium.

The Paralympian was the only one in the final to have gone under 22 seconds.

Smyth clocked 21.05 seconds, 0.90secs ahead of second place and 0.38s quicker than his old world best mark.

The sprinter trains in Florida with the joint second-fastest man of all time, Tyson Gay.

The Co Londonderry athlete, who is visually impaired because of Stargardt disease, has successfully defended both T13 titles he won four years ago at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

He completed his lap of honour holding an Irish flag which read 'Jason for double gold' before performing Bolt's trademark pose on the podium.

He said: "The people here and the British and the Irish, the cheers and support for me has been absolutely fantastic and I'll never forget it.

"It is a home Games and it's been a pleasure to be here competing."

"I'm not politically Irish or politically British. I could have gone for Britain just as easy as I went for Ireland, but at the time both people were given the opportunity and the sports council in Ireland came on and wanted to support and help me and did whatever they could, whereas whoever was in charge of GB at the time was like 'whatever, whatever'.

"I'm not that bothered and it made my decision very easy, but they've helped me to get where I am today."

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín congratulated him on winning his second gold medal.

She said: "Jason is one of the heroes of these games and is an outstanding athlete. Yet again he ran a terrific race and created another new world record.

"He truly deserves this second gold medal and the title of the 'fastest paralympian in history'. Watching athletes like Jason compete at these Games is an inspiration to us all."

The number of medals won by Northern Irish athletes at the Paralympic Games now stands at seven.

© UTV News
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2 Comments
Martin in Belfast wrote (256 days ago):
Well done indeed Jason for this wonderful achievement. You have done yourself and your family proud.
Ryan in Belfast wrote (258 days ago):
Well done Jason, you did Team Ireland proud.
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