By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 12 - Jason Smyth (pictured) today took another important step in his pursuit of becoming the first male athlete to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics at London 2012 when he was officially named in Ireland's team for the European Championships in Barcelona later this month.



The 23-year-old double Paralympic champion has been selected for the 100 metres where he is due to face Britain's Dwain Chambers and France's Christophe Lemaître, who last week became the first white sprinter to break 10 seconds for 100 metres.

Smyth, who is from Derry in Northern Ireland, last month beat Portugal's defending European 100m champion Francis Obikwelu in Budapest and has improved his personal best to 10.32sec having spent the winter training in Florida with Tyson Gay, the 2007 world 100m and 200m gold medallist.

But Smyth, who suffers from Stargardt's Disease, which affects his vision, is not trying to get carried away before the Championships open in the Olympic Stadium on July 26.

"It's all about focusing on one race at a time," he said.

"I'll try and run quicker and quicker and if that got me to a final, that would be a fantastic achievement.

"It's just about getting there injury-free and if I can run in the low 10.20s - whatever happens I would be delighted.

"This time last year, I wouldn't have predicted that I would be getting near to that kind of category."

Smyth, who must first recover from a minor hamstring injury which forced him to miss the Irish Championships at the weekend, also hopes to compete for Nothern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

That will then be followed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Athletics Championships in Christchurch next January.

It is all part of the build-up for London 2012.

"Legally I've run 10.32 and I should go low 10.20s this year," he said.

"Without a doubt that's where we want to be.

"Run in the Olympics and retain the Paralympics titles.

"I'll aim to continue to progress and be in Florida over the winters over the next two years.

"I don't see why I can't continue to improve and achieve what I plan to achieve."


Related stories
June 2010: Smyth concentrating on track despite looming history
June 2010: Exclusive - Smyth contemplating 400m switch to boost London 2012 bid
June 2010: Smyth beats European 100m champion with stunning run
June 2010: Smyth impresses as sets national 100m record
January 2010: Boost for Irish sprinter as coach joins Tyson Gay group