This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19455408
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| NI's golden Paralympians hailed as 'astounding' | NI's golden Paralympians hailed as 'astounding' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| previous slide next slide | previous slide next slide |
| The three golds won by Paralympians from Northern Ireland over the past 48 hours has been hailed as an "astounding achievement" by the sports minister. | The three golds won by Paralympians from Northern Ireland over the past 48 hours has been hailed as an "astounding achievement" by the sports minister. |
| Sprinter Jason Smyth from Eglinton won gold in the 100m on Saturday evening while Glengormley's Michael McKillop claimed victory in the 800m. | Sprinter Jason Smyth from Eglinton won gold in the 100m on Saturday evening while Glengormley's Michael McKillop claimed victory in the 800m. |
| Their success followed the gold medal won by Seaforde swimmer Bethany Firth in the 100m Backstroke on Friday night. | Their success followed the gold medal won by Seaforde swimmer Bethany Firth in the 100m Backstroke on Friday night. |
| Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has paid tribute to all three athletes. | Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has paid tribute to all three athletes. |
| She described Smyth's performance in the 100m final as "stunning" and "incredible". | She described Smyth's performance in the 100m final as "stunning" and "incredible". |
| The 25-year-old Paralympian, who narrowly missed out on a place at the Olympics by just 0.04 seconds, smashed his own world record for the second time in 24 hours with a time of 10.46 seconds. | The 25-year-old Paralympian, who narrowly missed out on a place at the Olympics by just 0.04 seconds, smashed his own world record for the second time in 24 hours with a time of 10.46 seconds. |
| Smyth, who is visually impaired, is now based in Florida and trains with US Olympic sprinter, Tyson Gay. | |
| Shortly after his friend and room-mate stormed to victory, Michael McKillop also set a new world record on the track. | |
| The 22 year old maintained his six year unbeaten Paralympic record in the 800m. | |
| "In less than 48 hours, our golden paralympians, Bethany, Michael and Jason have proved they are the best - three golds is an astounding achievement," Ms Ni Chuilin said. | "In less than 48 hours, our golden paralympians, Bethany, Michael and Jason have proved they are the best - three golds is an astounding achievement," Ms Ni Chuilin said. |
| All three athletes are representing Team Ireland. | All three athletes are representing Team Ireland. |