Vision Sports Ireland Board member, Jason Smyth, has today announced his retirement from Para Athletics. Jason is undoubtedly Ireland’s most accredited and widely known Paralympic athlete, known as the “Fastest Paralympian of All Time”. Jason, who hails from Derry, is a vision impaired athlete with a condition know as Stargardt’s Disease.
Jason boasts an illustrious career, spanning three decades and across four Paralympic games. Throughout his career, Jason has won every event he has competed in which earned him a total of 21 gold medals; six Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals, six European Championship gold medals and one Indoor Championship gold medal. He is also the current holder of two world records in the T13 100m. Jason retires undefeated having never lost a competitive athletics event across his career.
Jason announced his retirement saying “I’ve decided to officially hang up the spikes. It’s been an incredible 18-year journey. I’ve competed at many Paralympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. 21 gold medals .But probably the thing I’m most proud about is the fact I was able to go unbeaten throughout that time.”
Jason will remain an influential figure in Paralympic Sport as he takes on the role of Strategy Manager with Paralympics Ireland, in addition to his voluntary role of Board Member at Vision Sports Ireland.
On behalf of the members, Board, and Executive Team at Vision Sports Ireland, we would like to congratulate Jason on his successful career, and share our thanks for being a leader and role model for so many.