Jason Smyth's Paralympics blog: Settling into life after the Paralympic Games

Jason Smyth (28), a visually impaired sprinter from Derry, is officially the ‘fastest Paralympian on the planet.’ He won T13 gold at both 100m & 200m in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 Paralympics and won his fifth gold by retaining his T13 100m title at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiero in September. His 100m personal best (10:22) is the second fastest ever by an Irishman and he is also one of only 10 Irish men to break 21 seconds for 200m.

Jason is an Allianz sports and brand ambassador and has been writing a monthly blog throughout the build-up and aftermath of the 2016 Paralympic Games. Allianz is an official partner to Paralympics Ireland and global partner to the International Paralympics Committee (IPC).

“FOR me the best thing after the Paralympics was getting back to my family. When you’re away for so long, especially when you have a little one, it’s really nice to get back to reality again. My little girl Evie took a little time to get comfortable with me initially. I was away for three weeks so, for a few days, she’d only go to my wife Elise but, no fear, she’s back to normal now. I have somehow managed to keep the medal away from her so far – that’s what all those toys are for!