Paralympic champ Jason's joyous Eglinton homecoming

Jason Smyth the fastest Paralympian in the world who received a heroes welcome when he returned to his home village of Eglinton at the weekend after returning from Rio with a Gold Medal in the 100m, his fifth Gold. During the welcome home event on Saturday he led the Run with Jason event from his old school to the local community centre. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com.

The sprinter - who won his fifth Paralympic gold medal in Rio earlier this month - headed a joyous run through his home village his afternoon surrounded by hundreds of local children.

“Its incredible to come home to where I grew up and to see this support,” he said.

“I didn’t grow up in any different circumstances to anyone else here and it a great opportunity for them to realise that they can achieve whatever it is they want to in their lives.

“These are the moments that make a huge impact on you - it’s not just the medals and winning - it’s moments like this that make it all worth it.”

Smyth won his third 100m gold medal at the Rio games to add the 100-metre and 200 golds he won at the London and Beijing Games. The 200 metres wasn’t staged in this year’s Games.