Gold medals a symbol of determination: Higgins

President Michael D Higgins has said that Ireland’s medal-winning Paralympians are a symbol of the team’s determination.

Leading tributes in the wake of four golds medals, the President wished all athletes every success in the upcoming competitions.

The successes were headlined by world record-breaking 800m champion Michael McKillop and 100m sprinter Jason Smyth, who also set a world record.

The other two gold medallists were Darragh McDonald, from Wexford, who won gold in the men’s 400m freestyle swimming, and 16-year-old Bethany Firth from Co Down, who won gold in 100m backstroke division for athletes with intellectual disability.

“I want to congratulate Team Ireland athletes Jason Smyth, Michael McKillop and Darragh McDonald on their outstanding gold medal winning performances at the London Paralympics,” the President said. “These performances, following on the earlier success of Bethany Firth on Friday, are indicative of the overall determination and preparation of our team.

“I wish all our paralympian athletes every success over the coming days.”

Later yesterday, Catherine Walsh and her pilot Fran Meehan claimed Ireland’s first silver medal in the track cycling and, at the equestrian arena, Helen Kearney’s efforts on board Mister Cool similarly earned her a silver and, by extension, won her four-person team a bronze.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny led congratulations from the political ranks, describing the team as an inspiration.