Pistorius and Smyth claim gold while weary Weir founders

By Paul Carter at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester

Two Paralympians with ambitions of competing at the highest level with non-disabled athletes stole the show on the opening day of competition at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

Jason Smyth of Ireland and Oscar Pistorius from South Africa showed their international pedigree on a day when Great Britain’s athletes struggled to make the impression that was expected.

In front of a record crowd of over 5,000 spectators, largely made up of schoolchildren bussed in from around the country, it was Smyth who kicked off proceedings in impressive fashion, winning the opening event, the men’s T11-13 200m by over a second from Luis Goncalves of Portugal. The current world record holder was already ahead of the rest of the field at the bend, and a consistently strong second 100m saw him finish a comfortable 10m ahead of his rival.

The Irishman later went on to pick up the sprint double, winning the 100m in equally impressive fashion in 10.66, ahead of Great Britain’s James Ball who crossed the line in second in 11.76.

The double Paralympic gold medallist has been training with American Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay in Florida, and his efforts have already seen him qualify for the non-disabled European Championships in Barcelona in the summer. Smyth’s personal best for the 100m is currently 10.41, close to the Irish non-disabled national record of 10.35.

Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic sport’s most recognisable figure, also picked up two victories, taking gold in both the T44 100m and 400m.

It was something of a routine afternoon for Pistorius, who despite finishing some way outside of his personal best times, still managed to win comfortably in both events, taking the 100m in 11.33 and the 400m in 48.83.

The South African will now turn his attention to attempting to make the qualifying grade for the Commonwealth Games in India this Autumn.

Pistorius was given a strong run in both events by Great Britain’s Ian Jones, who continues to progress strongly heading towards 2012.

Great Britain’s leading light on the day proved to be Scottish sprinter Libby Clegg, who took gold in the T11/12 100m ahead of arch-rival Eva Ngui from Spain.

A jaded David Weir, who on paper looked to be one of GB’s strongest bets for a medal, had to make do with silver in the 800m where he was narrowly beaten by a strong performance from Switzerland’s Marcel Hug. In the 1500m, Weir looked to be controlling a tactical race, before Hug powered past at the bell. The Paralympic champion and world record holder looked powerless to reply, and eventually finished in fifth.

“I feel very tired today. I raced yesterday and have been racing today and it’s been very hard work. I think I need a break,” he said.