Andrew Flynn Runs Personal Best To Finish 7th In 5000m final At The Paralympic Athletics European Championships

Making his senior championship debut Ireland's Andrew Flynn ran a personal best time of 16:47.69 to finish seventh in the final of the T13 5000m at the Paralympic Athletics European Championships in Swansea this evening.Impressively Flynn bettered his previous best in Paralympic competition by over eight seconds. The race was won by reigning European champion Alberto Suarez of Spain in a season's best time 14:56.04.

Flynn made his Irish Paralympic debut in April at the IPC Grand Prix in Berlin, and these Championships were a real step up in class that will prove hugely beneficial for the Dundrum South Dublin athlete as he continues his development.

Flynn was effectively running up a category competing in this T13 5000m as the equivalent distance at T12; Flynn's class, was not on the programme at Swansea. The 13 class is the least impaired of the three visual impairment classes.

Earlier in the day reigning double Paralympic and World record holder Michael McKillop put in a commanding performance to win the final of the T38 800m in a time of 1:57.16.Wheelchair racer John McCarthy finished fifth in the final of the T51 100m in a time of 26.25seconds.

Tomorrow sees three Irish athletes in action. 100m gold medallist from the opening day of these Championships Jason Smyth lines up in the second semi-final of the T12 200m at 10.23am bidding to book his place in the afternoon final.

Silver medallist from last year's World Championships in the F57 Discus Orla Barry competes in that final commencing at 11.30am. The Cork athlete is a real championship performer but will need to be at her very best if she is to regain her European title tomorrow.

Development athlete Lorraine Regan competes in the F56 Javelin commencing at 3.30pm; her preferred event of the two she is scheduled to compete in at Swansea.

Seventeen year old Heather Jameson who contested the T37 100m final on Tuesday was due to compete in her preferred event; the T37 Long Jump but unfortunately has been withdrawn due a foot injury affecting her landing foot.