Double Gold Paralympic medallist Jason Smyth has been forced to withdraw from the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games squad that will travel to Delhi later this year, due to injury. The Derry born sprinter who made history earlier this summer by being the first Paralympic athlete to compete at the European Championships has picked up a back injury and is disappointed not to be going to Delhi,
“I am really gutted that I won’t be able to compete in Delhi; I have been looking forward to competing at such a prestigious event and having the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland. This year has been a memorable one for me, but unfortunately sometimes things go against you in sport and I just have to take it on the chin and work hard to get myself back to full fitness.”
The injury had to be carefully managed in order to make the start line at the Europeans, in which he was a 100m semi-finalist.
"From the scans we have discovered that this has been coming from the lower back," said Smyth's coach Stephen Maguire.
"Jason is devastated to miss the Commonwealth Games - it is a huge blow for him.
"He has not really trained since the middle of June and it was hard to diagnose.
"It is nothing too serious although it is serious enough that he will not be able to get the work done to enable him to be competitive in Delhi.
"The bottom line with the injury is that he is running so quick his body needs to catch up in terms of strength.
"We need to strengthen him up. He is ready to run very, very quick but the slightest wee thing can knock things out and that is what has happened."
Smyth's next major target will be the Paralympic World Games in January and a return to training in mid-October should put him back on track for defending his 100m and 200m titles in New Zealand.
