JASON SMYTH yesterday became the first Irish Paralympic athlete to qualify for a major able-bodied championship.

PAUL HESSION, after a sensational indoor season, opened his outdoor campaign with a national record when winning the 100m in 10.28 seconds at the EAA Permit Meeting in Kalamata, Greece on Saturday.

ROBERT HEFFERNAN posted the second fastest time of his career for the 20k walk at the Grand Prix of Race Walking in La Coruna yesterday when he finished fifth in 1:20:55 to highlight his return to form in advance of the Olympics.

GILLIAN O’SULLIVAN launched her sensational season at the Irish Indoor Championships in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast last February and she will be hoping for more of the same when she returns there in less than two months to launch her the build-up to the Olympics.