McCarthy sets PB in T51 100m final at IPC World Athletics Championships

John McCarthy made little of the inclement weather conditions when setting a new personal best time by finishing fifth in the final of the T51 100m at the 2013 IPC World Athletics Championships held in Lyon's Stadium of Parilly.

The searing heat of the opening two days and today's morning session gave way to thunder, lightning, a headwind and heavy rain in the afternoon but McCarthy was unconcerned, as he capitalised on a good start to cross the line in 24.55.

Finnish world record holder and London Paralympic gold medallist, Toni Piispanen was a comfortable victor.
McCarthy was a silver medallist in discus at the Athens Paralympics in 2004. An international wheelchair rugby player, he made the transition to the track and performed in his third Paralympics at London last year, having also competed at Beijing.

The 39-year-old from Dunmanway was delighted with producing a PB at a major championship in unfavourable conditions.

"I have to be happy with that. There was a +1.4 headwind, the track was wet and I pushed a 100m personal best."

The Head of Irish Paralympic Athletics, James Nolan was equally pleased.

"John has improved greatly over the past three years on the track. Today he had a great start and finished only .77 off bronze. He is improving year-on-year and that's all you can ask of an athlete."

There is just one Irish competitor tomorrow, with 16-year-old Heather Jameson looking to build on the experience of setting a season's best in the T37 200m semi-final yesterday when she participates in the 100m semi-final in the morning.
The Dubliner will compete in the Long Jump on Wednesday.

Day 4 (July 23) schedule for Irish athletes (Irish time):
10:13 HEATHER JAMESON (T37 100M Semi-Final)