PARALYMPICS Michael McKillop Wins Gold for Ireland at 2008 Paralympic Games in World Record Time

11 Sep 2008
Irish teenager Micheal McKillop sensationally won gold for Ireland in the 800m (T37 class) at Paralympic Games in Beijing tonight, in a new Paralympic World record time of 1:59.39, shaving a massive 2.74seconds off the existing mark, which he himself set at the World Championships in 2006.

The Antrim athlete, who is coached by his father Paddy, ran a stunning race to leave the field for dead with 200metres to go to take the title in this, his first Paralympic Games, with over three seconds to spare on the line over Brad Scott of Australia (2:02.71) in silver, and Djamel Mastouri of France (2:03.04), in front of a capacity crowd in the Bird's Nest Stadium.

Immediately afterwards Mc Killop said: "It feels great; it's a dream come true. It's unbelievable. I've put all my work into it; I was so happy to come across the line. It's just great to be Paralympic champion, and the world record and Paralympic record; all three! I can't wait for London 2012!"

McKillop, who is only eighteen years of age, burst off on his lap of honour with the tricolour flying high over his shoulders to a magical reception from the packed Bird's Nest stadium. As the St. Malachy's athlete hit the home bend on his victory lap he rushed to embrace his father and coach, Paddy in the coaches' stand, in a moment to savour, before he disappeared into a sea of green as his team mates swarmed him in a collective embrace.

The infamous Bird's Nest was packed to the rafters and the noise was deafening when the Irishman crossed the line. Afterwards he tried to put that experience into words: "It was absolutely unbelievable. The other night I was very nervous when I was in the stadium; I didn't really know what to expect, but when you get into the call room you're on your own. You have to build your own emotions up, you have to lock them up and focus on your race. That's what I did; I focused on my race and the dream of becoming a Paralympic champion has come true."

After the emotional medal ceremony when Amhran na bFhiann rang out for the very first time in the Bird's Nest, Ireland's newest Paralympic champion and world record holder got the chance to speak to his Mum; Catherine at home in Antrim; "Oh yeah my mum is in hysterics! She was more nervous than I was going into the race. She had a tear in her eye she said when I crossed the line, so I can't wait to see them. I can't wait to get out and support the other athletes on the team now and enjoy the rest of the Games."

Ireland also had two other competitors in action in the Bird's Nest this evening. Wexford's Catherine Wayland took to the field in the women's discus (F51 Combined Class). Producing a seasons best of 6.13metres. Wayland finished in sixth position overall with reaction to her performance being one of delight having achieved her goal of qualifying for the final and throwing over 6metres. Catherine said: "I am thrilled to make the final; I'm absolutely delighted to have produced my season's best on this the biggest stage of all, the competition was fierce out there."

Duleek's Lisa Callaghan competed in the women's javelin (F37 Combined Class) and finished agonizingly ninth; one spot away from a place in the final. Lisa produced a distance of 22.87m which was below her own expectations. Speaking after the event she said; "This just wasn't one of my good days unfortunately and I hope to have better days in the future."
Following Gay Shelly's bronze medal success in the individual competition yesterday, Ireland were back in the Fencing Hall today for the pool stages of the combined BC1/BC2 team competition, qualifying for tomorrow's quarter-finals. Drawn in the pool with Spain and Finland the Irish got off to a positive start beating Finland 7 - 3 but lost out 12 - 1 to Spain in a match where tactical placement was key. The team will face the home team, China, in the quarter-final tomorrow.

In Hong Kong, Equestrian representative Eilish Byrne took to the arena today in the Individual Freestyle Dressage Test Grade II. With a strong performance from both rider and horse, Byrne finished in eighth position overall with a score of 65.833%.


Speaking from Qingdao, team manager Niall Quirk said; "Eilish produced her best performance ever today, she has raised her level up a notch and has proven she is medal potential for the future. Naturally she would like a better score with only one percent separating her from fourth place, but she is delighted." Eilish has now completed her Paralympic competition and will join the rest of the Irish team in Beijing for the remainder of the Games.

Day five sees Ellen Keane and Stephen Campbell back in the pool. Meath's Sean Heary faces Go of Korea in the last 16 of the Archery open compound competition. Patrice Dockery goes in the heats of her favoured event on the track; the T53 100m. The Boccia team face hosts China in quarter-finals and both Irish boats are back on the water in Qingdao for races 6,7 & 8 of their campaigns. In the evening John McCarthy competes in the final of F32/51 combined discus event.



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