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Paralympic great honoured in village of birth

Derry and Strabane Council Sprinter Jason Smyth kneels beside a new welcome sign in the village where he was born. He is wearing a blue shirt and beige trousers and is holding six gold medals. He is smiling and has short greying hair.Derry and Strabane Council
Sprinter Jason Smyth kneels beside a new welcome sign in the village where he was born.

One of the world's greatest Paralympians has been honoured in the village in Northern Ireland where he was born.

Sprinter Jason Smyth was unbeaten during a 17-year career and was Paralympic sport's fastest man until 2021.

The sprinter earned six Paralympic titles, which included 100m and 200m doubles at the Beijing and London Games in 2008 and 2012.

On Tuesday a new welcome sign was unveiled in Eglinton, County Londonderry, the village which Smyth said he would "always regard as my home".

Getty Images Athlete Jason Smyth holds a gold medal. he is wearing a white track suit and is smiling broadly. Getty Images
Smyth won European, Wold and Paralympic golds during a glittering track career

"Now as I look back on my career after retirement, I am so grateful for all the support from the local community over the years as they shared in my successes and cheered me on at the finish line," the retired sprinter said.

He described Eglinton as "a very special place" which meant a lot to him and his family.

The sprint star had perfect vision up until the age of nine before a hereditary condition known as Stargardt disease began to cause his sight to deteriorate.

In a stellar career, the athlete also notched up eight gold medals at World Championships, six gold medals at European Championships and a gold at the World Indoor Championships over 60 metres.

Derry and Strabane Council A group of people, including men, women and children, stand behind a sign welcoming people to the village of Eglinton in County Derry. Everyone is smiling.Derry and Strabane Council
The retired sprinter says the village is 'a very special place'

Mayor of Derry and Strabane Ruairí McHugh said it was "only fitting that he is celebrated here in Eglinton where he grew up".

"Jason's commitment, dedication and success is a real inspiration for anyone who dreams of one day succeeding in sport," he added.

Since retiring at the age of 35, Smyth has enjoyed further success, winning RTÉ's Dancing With The Stars, Ireland's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

He now works for Paralympics Ireland.