Sprint star Jason Smyth has declared his intention to go for gold again at the Paris Paralympics - even though he will be 37 by the time the 2024 Games come around.
And the man with SIX gold medals from four Paralympics reckons he will be running faster than ever in two and a half years’ time.
Smyth had contemplated bowing out after the Tokyo Games - but his 100m success last year only whetted his appetite for more track glory.
He was speaking at the announcement of Permanent TSB’s multi-million euro sponsorship deal to back the Ireland Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Smyth (34) was asked how long it took to decide that he would stay on.
“Not too long, to be honest,” he replied. “When I think of Tokyo it was a question of getting there and reassessing it then. I felt like I would definitely like to go another cycle.
“The standard has gone up and the risk is higher that I am not able to maintain that success.
“But ultimately that’s the opportunity for me to find ways to improve, to get things right and solidify the success I have had over all these years, and that’s probably been one of my biggest drivers.
“It’s about trying to achieve things that nobody else will achieve in my sport.
“That is not about just being successful, it is about being successful over a long period of time.
“And being able to potentially go to Paris would be five Games and 20 years, and for me that’s the challenge.
“I feel, if I’m honest, as motivated, if not more motivated, than I have been throughout a lot of my career.”
He continued: “The only thing I can impact is me and that’s where I will keep my focus and get it right, and I know if I get me right then I am in a position to win gold medals.
“The reality going into Tokyo is that I wasn’t the quickest on paper… I honestly believe I will run quicker over the next couple of years as well so that is exciting.”
Smyth added that the three-year gap between games - instead of the usual four - played a role in his decision to stay on.
“It certainly makes it a lot easier,” he said. “As an older athlete it obviously gets harder and harder to look further into the future because things can change.
“So yes, that certainly has made the decision easier that it is a three-year cycle and we are one year into it.”
The Derry native admitted that his age meant he has had to adapt his training.
“I have had a number of conversations with the team around me about how I just can’t physically do the same volume as ten years ago,” he said.
“The important thing is about being able to adapt and change. That’s not just in sport, it’s everyone in life. You have got to be able to adapt to what is in front of you.
“You need to be aware of the situation you are in and then it’s about how you assess that and make those changes.
“As a team we have done that very well. We are aware where I am at and that’s how you keep taking steps forward as you get older.”
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