Jason Smyth, the reigning 100m T3 Paralympic champion, announced his arrival at these London Paralympic Games with a new world record in tonight’s 100m T13 heats at the Olympic Stadium.
Smyth, who eased up in the final stages of the race, beat his own world Paralympic record by clocking a time of 10.54 seconds.
Following his scintillating performance, Smyth commented: "I know I am in good shape and I am glad to be able to show this in my performance.
"It was disappointing not to make the Olympics, but the Paralympics is always important to me and it is good to represent Ireland and hopefully medal for my country.”
Smyth is from Eglinton in Derry and is the reigning T13 100m and 200m Paralympic champion, and world record holder for both disciplines.
He was the first Paralympian to compete in athletics’ able-bodied European Championships (Barcelona 2010) and World Championships (Daegu 2011).
He also narrowly missed out on qualification for this summer’s Olympic Games.
Smyth won gold and set world records in the Assen World Championships in 2006, but unfortunately missed out on the 2011 IPC World Championships through injury.
The Derry man is based full-time in Florida and trains with US sprint king Tyson Gay.
