Jason Smyth selected in Ireland team for South Korea
Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Derry Paralympian Jason Smyth has been named in the 17-strong Athletics Ireland team for the World Track and Field Championships in South Korea.
Smyth will compete in the 100m after setting a personal best time of 10.22 seconds at Clermont, Florida in May.
The Florida-based athlete produced another solid performance to win in 10.52 at the Irish Nationals on Sunday.
Among the other leading Irish competitors will be Paul Hession, Olive Loughnane and Derval O'Rourke.
Smyth made history as the first Paralympian to compete at a European championships last year, qualifying for the semi-finals of the 100 metres.
Smyth ran 10.43 seconds, finishing fourth in his heat.
He just missed out on the final by finishing fourth in his semi-final in a time of 10.47 seconds.
He won two golds for Ireland at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, setting records at the men's 100 metres and the men's 200 metres.
Hession produced the performance of the national championships to win the 200m in 20.51 to gain the A qualification standard for the Daegu World Championships and the London Olympics.
O'Rourke will compete in the 100m hurdles after securing her ninth national title in 13.24 at the weekend.
She finished fourth in the Berlin world championships two years ago, setting a new Irish record of 12.67 in the final.
Loughnane was a silver medallist in the 20km Walk at the Berlin championships.
Robert Heffernan reached the qualification standard for both the 20k and 50k walk but has yet to decide which event he will compete in.
Athletics Ireland Team: Jason Smyth - 100m; Paul Hession - 200m; Joanne Cuddihy - 400m; Derval O'Rourke - 100m hurdles; Ciaran O'Lionaird - 1500m; Fionnuala Britton - 3000m Steeplechase; Stephanie O'Reilly - 3000m Steeplechase; Alistair Cragg - 5000m; Deirdre Ryan - High Jump; Tori Pena - Pole Vault; Robert Heffernan - 20km Walk; Olive Loughnane - 20km Walk; Colin Griffin - 50 km Walk; Women's 4x400m Team
