Smyth on track for Paralympics sprint double

JASON SMYTH’S super gold medal run and new Paralympics 100m world record in London on Saturday night was clearly the weekend’s sporting headliner and the Eglinton Flyer is now firmly focussed on doing the sprint double in the 200m later this week.

Friday night’s 10.54 seconds semi-final victory erased his own previous world record and a blistering 10.46 seconds effort in the final saw the local Spartans sprinter blow away the opposition to retain his 100m title and set new record figures for the short sprint.

While he started as a clear favourite for the win and he clearly is a class apart in his category, he nevertheless produced a commanding performance, powering clear from the gun and maintaining his momentum right to the line for facile wins in both his races.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The disappointment of missing out on Olympic selection last month was put aside and the defence of his 2008 Bejing sprint titles became the focus and he was so impressive as he completed the first half of the task on a memorable Saturday evening in London.

His lap of honour was a joy to behold, he was hugged by his fiancé Elise Jordan and family trackside as he responded to the acclaim of the cheering spectators who had witnessed the fastest Paralympian on the planet, up close and personal.

He now prepares for Thursday’s 200m heats and hopefully the Friday night final, with another gold and world record the objective.

Related topics: