The World Paralympic Championships began on September 3rd and will run to September 9th. The following is a day by day account of the Irish in action thus far. September 3, 2006Strong Opening Day for Irish Squad, European record for Orla Barry in finishing 4th Ireland got off to a solid start at a wet and windy World Paralympic Championships in Assen, Holland today (September 3). Orla Barry set a new European record, Jason Smyth was the fastest qualifier for the 200 meters final and John McCarthy was involved in a tense and exciting discus final. 
Orla Barry, recent winner of the World Junior Championships in Santry, took part in the Discus F57. In a big step up to senior level the 17 year old wheelchair athlete from Ladysbridge put in a great performance after a long season. A throw of 25.24 meters, the new European record, secured 4th place behind her Iranian, Chinese and Algerian competitors. Remarkably 4 athletes broke the previous world best of 24.95 meters with Azam Khodayari of Iran winning with 27.09 meters. Orla decided to focus on one event here as she will return to Cork on Monday to begin her Leaving Cert year. Paralympic silver medalist John McCarthy from Cork, competed in an exciting and closely fought F51 Discus. The conditions had an impact on the throwers. McCarthy’s best of 8.48 meters leaving him 7th of the 7 finalists, won by David gale of Britain with 9.65 meters. Jason Smyth from Derry won his heat in the T13 200 meters semi-final in a time of 22.45. The 19 year old visually impaired sprinter is the most exciting talent to emerge in Irish Paralympic sport in years and is the fastest qualifier and favorite for Monday’s final. Noel Brennan said “I am delighted with the way the campaign has started. Jason Smyth and Orla Barry are huge talents. Jason laid down a marker today and will be the man to beat this week. Orla decided to concentrate on one event here, she threw a huge personal best and can be very pleased with her season. John McCarthy was in a very tight and exciting competition and he did well under difficult conditions.” Monday at the Championships will involve competitors Jason Smyth (T13 200 meter final), Michael McKillop, Antrim, (T37 1500 meter final), Patrice Dockery, Dublin, (T54 100 meter semi final), Garrett Culliton, Laois, (F52 discus final) and Eoin Cleere, Offaly, (F32 Shot Putt final) A junior event (Under 21) was organized for Saturday September 2 as part of the World Athletics Championships. The Paralympic Council of Ireland sent a squad of 10 juniors to the event. In an encouraging performance for the future of the sport in Ireland the junior squad won an impressive 8 medals and achieved 10 personal bests. September 4, 2006Jason Smyth Enjoys Victory in 200 meter Final in new world record timeMichael McKillop wins silver in breakthrough performance at 800 meters Jason Smyth, the new star of Irish Paralympic sport, won his first world title in Assen, Holland, this afternoon. The Derry athlete was the fastest qualifier for the event and dominated from the gun. Jason’s winning time of 21.83 seconds broke his own existing world record by one hundredth of a second, an impressive performance in windy conditions. Matthias Schroeder of Germany made it a stiff test for Smyth, finishing 2nd in 22.25. The 19 year-old junior star returns to the track on Tuesday to begin his campaign for a gold in the 100 meters. After the race Jason Smyth said “I am delighted with that, especially as I had picked up a couple of niggles during the week. I am very satisfied in that it was a technically good race as I ran a good bend and a strong final straight”. Belfast teenager Michael McKillop won a fantastic silver medal in the T37 1500 meter final, demonstrating that he is a major talent with a big future. The 16 year old raced with great maturity, surviving a typically rough 1500 meter championship race and coming from off the pace in 4th at the bell to finish strongest of all in a new personal best 4.24.26. Djamel Mastouri of France won the race in a new Games record of 4.20.20. Eoin Cleare exceeded his expectation in the final of the F32 Shot Putt. Throwing a personal best of 6.25 he finished in 6th overall, a major breakthrough at this level for the 35 year old Offaly native. The F52 discus final involving Garrett Culleton from Laois was running late with the final result distributed as soon as it is available. Patrice Dockery, Dublin, did not progress from her T54 100 meter semi final. Noel Brennan, Team Manager, said “We saw some outstanding performances today. We have known for a long time that Jason and Michael are big talents and it is exciting to see them deliver on their potential in championship conditions. They represent the new generation of Paralympic athletes who will continue the tradition of Irish excellence and achievement in the sport” Tuesday at the Championships will again involve Jason Smyth in the T13 100 meter semi-final, Rosemary Tallon from Drogheda in the F51 /F53 discus final, and Patrice Dockery is back on the track in the T54 800 semi-final. September 5, 2006Garrett Culliton Wins Bronze in Discus, Jason Smyth equals world record in qualifying for 100 meter final Garrett Culliton from Laois won a bronze medal in the F52 discus in Assen. His throw of 16.09 was enough to secure a place on the podium and Ireland’s 3rd medal of the World Championships. The competition took place on late on Monday evening but the final result was not confirmed until Tuesday due to a dispute on the classification of a US athlete. Jason Smyth equaled the Paralympic World Record of 10.96 seconds in the semi final of the T13 100 meters, making the Derry teenager the fastest qualifier for tomorrow’s final. Rosemary Tallon took sixth place in her F53 discus final. A throw of 11.03, just outside her Irish record, was a creditable performance for the Louth women who only returned from a back injury six weeks ago. Patrice Dockery, Dublin, is struggling to find her best form in Assen and a time of 2.18.81 was not enough to qualify the Beaumont athlete for the T54 800 meter. Noel Brennan, Team Manager, said “We are all delighted for Garrett. He is a senior team member now and has made an enormous contribution to Irish Paralympic sport. He has not always enjoyed the best of luck at Championships and his medal here makes up for a lot of narrow defeats in the past”. Wednesday at the Championships will see the return to action of medal winners Jason Smyth (T13 100 meter final) and Michael McKillop (T37 800 meter semi final). World record holder Lisa Callaghan takes part in the F37 javelin and Roy Geurin takes to the track for the first time in the Championships in the T53 100 meters. Patrice Dockery continues her heavy programme in the T54 200 meters. The IPC World Championships is the most prestigious event for disability athletes outside the Paralympic Games, with 1,500 athletes competing from 77 countries in 240 events. An added incentive for athletes is that performances having a direct bearing on the allocation of competition places for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The Irish team comprises of 14 Athletes (10 Men, 4 Women) from three disability groups, supported by a staff complement of 9 coaches and officials. For further Information contact John Fulham communications@pcireland.ie 087 2709182 Paul McDermott Irish Sports Council 087 6486295 or visit the Paralympic Council of Ireland Website www.pcireland.ie
Orla Barry, recent winner of the World Junior Championships in Santry, took part in the Discus F57. In a big step up to senior level the 17 year old wheelchair athlete from Ladysbridge put in a great performance after a long season. A throw of 25.24 meters, the new European record, secured 4th place behind her Iranian, Chinese and Algerian competitors. Remarkably 4 athletes broke the previous world best of 24.95 meters with Azam Khodayari of Iran winning with 27.09 meters. Orla decided to focus on one event here as she will return to Cork on Monday to begin her Leaving Cert year. Paralympic silver medalist John McCarthy from Cork, competed in an exciting and closely fought F51 Discus. The conditions had an impact on the throwers. McCarthy’s best of 8.48 meters leaving him 7th of the 7 finalists, won by David gale of Britain with 9.65 meters. Jason Smyth from Derry won his heat in the T13 200 meters semi-final in a time of 22.45. The 19 year old visually impaired sprinter is the most exciting talent to emerge in Irish Paralympic sport in years and is the fastest qualifier and favorite for Monday’s final. Noel Brennan said “I am delighted with the way the campaign has started. Jason Smyth and Orla Barry are huge talents. Jason laid down a marker today and will be the man to beat this week. Orla decided to concentrate on one event here, she threw a huge personal best and can be very pleased with her season. John McCarthy was in a very tight and exciting competition and he did well under difficult conditions.” Monday at the Championships will involve competitors Jason Smyth (T13 200 meter final), Michael McKillop, Antrim, (T37 1500 meter final), Patrice Dockery, Dublin, (T54 100 meter semi final), Garrett Culliton, Laois, (F52 discus final) and Eoin Cleere, Offaly, (F32 Shot Putt final) A junior event (Under 21) was organized for Saturday September 2 as part of the World Athletics Championships. The Paralympic Council of Ireland sent a squad of 10 juniors to the event. In an encouraging performance for the future of the sport in Ireland the junior squad won an impressive 8 medals and achieved 10 personal bests. September 4, 2006Jason Smyth Enjoys Victory in 200 meter Final in new world record timeMichael McKillop wins silver in breakthrough performance at 800 meters Jason Smyth, the new star of Irish Paralympic sport, won his first world title in Assen, Holland, this afternoon. The Derry athlete was the fastest qualifier for the event and dominated from the gun. Jason’s winning time of 21.83 seconds broke his own existing world record by one hundredth of a second, an impressive performance in windy conditions. Matthias Schroeder of Germany made it a stiff test for Smyth, finishing 2nd in 22.25. The 19 year-old junior star returns to the track on Tuesday to begin his campaign for a gold in the 100 meters. After the race Jason Smyth said “I am delighted with that, especially as I had picked up a couple of niggles during the week. I am very satisfied in that it was a technically good race as I ran a good bend and a strong final straight”. Belfast teenager Michael McKillop won a fantastic silver medal in the T37 1500 meter final, demonstrating that he is a major talent with a big future. The 16 year old raced with great maturity, surviving a typically rough 1500 meter championship race and coming from off the pace in 4th at the bell to finish strongest of all in a new personal best 4.24.26. Djamel Mastouri of France won the race in a new Games record of 4.20.20. Eoin Cleare exceeded his expectation in the final of the F32 Shot Putt. Throwing a personal best of 6.25 he finished in 6th overall, a major breakthrough at this level for the 35 year old Offaly native. The F52 discus final involving Garrett Culleton from Laois was running late with the final result distributed as soon as it is available. Patrice Dockery, Dublin, did not progress from her T54 100 meter semi final. Noel Brennan, Team Manager, said “We saw some outstanding performances today. We have known for a long time that Jason and Michael are big talents and it is exciting to see them deliver on their potential in championship conditions. They represent the new generation of Paralympic athletes who will continue the tradition of Irish excellence and achievement in the sport” Tuesday at the Championships will again involve Jason Smyth in the T13 100 meter semi-final, Rosemary Tallon from Drogheda in the F51 /F53 discus final, and Patrice Dockery is back on the track in the T54 800 semi-final. September 5, 2006Garrett Culliton Wins Bronze in Discus, Jason Smyth equals world record in qualifying for 100 meter final Garrett Culliton from Laois won a bronze medal in the F52 discus in Assen. His throw of 16.09 was enough to secure a place on the podium and Ireland’s 3rd medal of the World Championships. The competition took place on late on Monday evening but the final result was not confirmed until Tuesday due to a dispute on the classification of a US athlete. Jason Smyth equaled the Paralympic World Record of 10.96 seconds in the semi final of the T13 100 meters, making the Derry teenager the fastest qualifier for tomorrow’s final. Rosemary Tallon took sixth place in her F53 discus final. A throw of 11.03, just outside her Irish record, was a creditable performance for the Louth women who only returned from a back injury six weeks ago. Patrice Dockery, Dublin, is struggling to find her best form in Assen and a time of 2.18.81 was not enough to qualify the Beaumont athlete for the T54 800 meter. Noel Brennan, Team Manager, said “We are all delighted for Garrett. He is a senior team member now and has made an enormous contribution to Irish Paralympic sport. He has not always enjoyed the best of luck at Championships and his medal here makes up for a lot of narrow defeats in the past”. Wednesday at the Championships will see the return to action of medal winners Jason Smyth (T13 100 meter final) and Michael McKillop (T37 800 meter semi final). World record holder Lisa Callaghan takes part in the F37 javelin and Roy Geurin takes to the track for the first time in the Championships in the T53 100 meters. Patrice Dockery continues her heavy programme in the T54 200 meters. The IPC World Championships is the most prestigious event for disability athletes outside the Paralympic Games, with 1,500 athletes competing from 77 countries in 240 events. An added incentive for athletes is that performances having a direct bearing on the allocation of competition places for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The Irish team comprises of 14 Athletes (10 Men, 4 Women) from three disability groups, supported by a staff complement of 9 coaches and officials. For further Information contact John Fulham communications@pcireland.ie 087 2709182 Paul McDermott Irish Sports Council 087 6486295 or visit the Paralympic Council of Ireland Website www.pcireland.ie
