Record breaker!
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Jason Smyth powers his way to the finish line in Beijing. NCL37-802s
It's ONE thing to set a world record, but to win a gold medal while breaking the very record that you have set, well that is just incredible.
And for former Limavady Grammar School pupil Jason Smyth, that is exactly what he can say he has achieved as he took the 2008 Paralympics by storm over the weekend.
The 21 year old visually impaired sprinter from Eglinton, amazed crowds of over 90,000 as he knocked .04 seconds off his record in the 100 metre heats on Saturday.
Hours later, the 21 year-old stormed to a comprehensive victory clocking 10.62 seconds in the T13 100 metres final, making the young Eglinton man the first person to bring back a Paralympic gold to Ireland in eight years.
And as high hopes remain rested on the eager athlete's shoulders in the build up to 200m final, the 21 year old's sister, Lisa Smyth, tells us that through all the glitz and glamour of picking up gold, all that matters to is that her brother enjoys himself.
“It's a pretty exciting time for all the family, as well as Jason but as long as he's happy and doing the best he can well that's all that matters," says Lisa.
“It's strange to see your brother on TV and the nerves start to kick in when you see it all unfold because you just want him to do well. But he is very passionate about what he does and we have every faith in him that he will do amazingly well."
As The Chronicle went to print yesterday, Jason was on mark to possibly take home Ireland's second gold from China in the 200m sprint finals.
Jason's mum, dad and brother are currently in Beijing watching the 21 year old compete and are soaking up the atmosphere as their son beats competitors from all over the world to victory.
Speaking to the world's media after picking up his first gold, the County Derry athlete spoke of how he pushed winning to the back of his mind during the race.
“ I knew it was there," he said. "It was just a matter of coming out and doing it on the big occasion, and I'm so pleased I did," said the visually-impaired sprinter.
"I'm thrilled. It's awesome. I've put in so much work. You know you are expected to win but you don't really want to think about it or talk about it."
Jason even revealed that he was not aware that he had clocked another world record until completing his lap of honour.
"I only realised when I came back here when I saw the screen," said the sprinter. "You're in a stadium with 91,000 so you've got to make the most of it and I did.
"The people here come out in force. They get into it and there's a good atmosphere."
The avid Liverpool FC fan already started the sporting season with a new world record of 10.85 seconds in May when he won gold at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. He is also a regular competitor in sighted competition and is ranked second in Ireland over 100m and third over 200m.
Two of Jason's sisters are current pupils at Limavady Grammar School where pupils, teachers and staff have been "absolutely delighted" with the young man's achievements. Speaking yesterday as the Paralympic star prepared to take home what many have called a "double gold", principal Dr Sam McGuinness called his the former pupil "an inspiration".
“The entire school including pupils, teachers and staff, are so proud of Jason and how well he has done in the 2008 Paralympics. We are really excited about his final sprint and are more than hopeful that he will take home double gold to Ireland."
“He really is an inspiration to young people. For a young man like Jason to overcome difficulties and get as far as he has is just amazing. He put a focus to his life, worked hard and has become an athletic star."
