Sport

Sporting hits of 2021: Against the odds, Jason Smyth adds to his legend in Tokyo

Derry sprinter dips at the right time to earn fourth-successive Paralympics gold medal

Jason Smyth celebrates on the podium in Tokyo. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

Philip Reid's face
Philip Reid
Thu Dec 30 2021 - 12:00

Men’s T13 100 metres Final - Jason Smyth, New National Stadium, Tokyo, August 29th.

Just another mad dash to add to his legend.

Jason Smyth took his place in lane six. Right next to him, Algeria’s Skander Djami Athman settled into the blocks.

And when the starter’s pistol sound, it was Smyth - head down and feet pounding - who sped into the lead.

But with each stride, it seemed as if Athman was closing . . . and closing . . . and closing.

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Until, the two dipped on the line. Inseparable to the naked eye, it was left to the judges to determine who had crossed the line first. The photo finish provided the proof, it was Smyth’s title. Again.

The so-called “Fastest Paralympian on the Planet” won his fourth-successive gold and a sixth career Paralympian title - his winning time of 10.54 edging out the African sprinter by one-hundredth of a second - in adding brilliantly to the Derry man’s legendary status. Colombia’s Jean Carlos Mina Aponza took bronze in 10.64.

Jason Smyth is welcomed back to Belfast City Airport by his family. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Inpho

That Smyth made it to the starting line at all was something of a feat in itself.

As he described his build-up: “Reflecting back on this year I had probably one of the toughest years (in my career) with injuries. Nine months ago I was wondering, ‘is this me done?’ Three months ago, I was wondering if I’d be at the Games. We got things right and they came together at the right time.”

Prior to the final, Smyth had identified the Algerian as his main challenger. “I knew I was up against it,” he observed.

In the end, it came down to a photo finish to separate the two. A blink of an eye.

“It was the toughest finish for sure. I wasn’t 100 per cent sure, I thought I was slightly ahead but it was so close. I knew going into the final that I’ve been there and done it before and that it was (his) first time on this stage.

“It was about me trying to put him under pressure. I felt I did that over the first half of the race but I tightened up a bit at the end.”

Ultimately, he did it. Again. Gold medal number six.