Golden Sunday on the double for Ireland at IPC Athletics World Championships

McKillop and Smyth secure gold on day 2 of action in Lyon.

Ireland's double Paralympic gold medalists from London 2012, Michael McKillop and Jason Smyth repeated the first leg of their double act during a wonderful hour in Lyon today with both securing gold medals.

McKillop, from Newtonabbey, was first into action this afternoon in the searing heat at the Parilly Stadium in the mens T37 800m final. Starting from lane 8, he took the pace on from the start and was clear with Brad Scott (Aus) and Hafid Aharak (Mor) after 200m. From the bell, McKillop was 10m clear where he stretched it it out to come home in a new world record of 1:57.19.

McKillop, stated: "I was delighted to win and look forward to the 1500m." Paying an emotional tribute to his father Paddy, who also coaches him, he said: "he's a phenomenal guy, who I can't thank enough. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support he and my mother give me."

James Nolan, Head of Irish Paralympic Athletics was delighted that Ireland were on the medal table stating: "Michael looked smooth and in control in the final. That's 50% of his target achieved with the bonus of breaking his world record"

McKillop's room mate, Jason Smyth followed him onto the track a mere hour later and duly delivered a second gold for Ireland with a stunning run in the mens T13 200m final. Smyth was dominant throughout the race and was clear of the field within 60m. From lane 5 he powered home to match his world record time of 21.05. Namibia's Nambala Johannes finished second in a time of 21.59 with the bronze going to Jonathan Ntutu of South Africa in 22.09.

Smyth was delighted to retain the title he last won in 2006 after missing out the 2011 world championships due to injury. After the race he said: "It's always nice to get records but at the end of the day I'm here to try and win medals so I'm delighted to have achieved that. I'm looking forward to the 100m now later in the week and am confident I can deliver another top performance."

The Irish team were delighted with the afternoon's result with James Nolan commenting "It was a magnificent display of sprinting. People had been mentioning the Namibian athlete as a potential threat to Jason, but he was on his shoulder at 60m."

Earlier in the day, Catherine O'Neill finished 5th in the women's F51-53 discus final, Orla Barry from Cork was a very credible 8th in the women's F55-57 shot put final and Heather Jameson ran a season's best in the T37 womens 200m semi-final but failing to make the final.

Monday will be a quiet day for the Irish team with Dunmanway's John McCarthy the only athlete in action. He takes to the track in the T51 men's 100m wheelchair racing final at 5:27pm.