2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJINGLAST NIGHT was a night of firsts in the Bird's Nest in Beijing. Ireland claimed their first first gold medal as Antrim teenager Michael McKillop broke his own Paralympic world record to come first in the 800 metres (T37).
The Irish tricolour was raised for the first time in this magnificent stadium, and the small but fiercely proud posse of Irish supporters scattered throughout the capacity crowd got to sing the national anthem for the first time.
The 18-year-old McKillop was emotional as he held his gold medal aloft after a powerful display of athleticism that crowns a strong display by Team Ireland in the Paralympics so far.
McKillop, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy, led the field from early on. With 200 metres to go, he seemed energised by the occasion and took off, putting an unbridgeable distance between himself and second-placed Brad Scott of Australia, who finished over three seconds behind him.
In the mixed zone beneath the tribunes, smothered by hugs from family, friends, team-mates, fellow Paralympians and support staff, McKillop explained his strategy.
"I knew I was in good shape, I knew it was going to be a quick race so I just sat off it and then came through and had my big kick at the end. It's great to break another world record so hopefully there's many more to come. I knew I was the quickest. I knew I had the best gears out there," he said.
The new Paralympic world record time of 1:59.39 is 2.74 seconds faster than the record he set at the World Championships in Assen, in Holland, in 2006.
McKillop's gold comes one day after Gay Shelly won bronze in the boccia, and after the previous four days of competition had seen numerous Irish records fall and personal bests reached. Shelly captained the boccia team to qualification for the quarter-finals today and will face China.
McKillop's dad and coach, Paddy, was one proud father.
"It's been a long journey. It's been a long year," said McKillop senior, referring to the illness and injury setbacks of the first half of the year.
"When he passed me with 120 metres to go, I know he was like a dog with a bone, he wouldn't let go. With 100 to go, I knew it was smile time," said McKillop Snr, still smiling broadly, and he is likely to be grinning for some time yet. McKillop junior played down the significance of breaking his own record.
"I didn't come to break a record, I came to race - this is a championship and it's all about winning. To get the world record and the Paralympic record is a bonus," he said before thanking his club, St Malachy's, the Sports Council of Ireland and "the rest of the lads in Belfast".
McKillop was keen to run the 1,500 metres too, but there are not enough athletes in the Paralympics in the category to justify a competition, which means his campaign in Beijing is over. For the time being, he will support the rest of the team, including fellow Northerner, Jason Smyth, who is also a major track and field hope and who also holds two world records.
McKillop's gold was the first Irish gold medal since Sydney, where Shelly won gold in the boccia. Another Irish gold-winner in Sydney was swimmer Dave Malone, who retired after he failed to reach the finals of the S8 100 metre backstroke.
"I was always going to retire after this meet; it's my fourth Paralympic Games, and in my head I always wanted to go out at the highest level, and I mean it doesn't get any bigger than this!" said the proud 33-year-old.
Yesterday's results
Eilish Byrne (Freestyle Grade II) 8th overall, score 65.833.
David Malone (Swimming 100m BS Heats S8) 5th in heat, 10th overall.
Boccia Team (BC1/BC2) 1st Pool match Ireland 7 - Finland 3. Round 2, Ireland 1 - Spain 12 Qualify for Quarter-Final against China today.
Football Team (2nd pool match) Ireland 0 - Ukraine 7
Michael Delaney and David Peelo (Cycling) Sprint BVI (1-3) 5th overall New Irish record, 11.460 seconds.
Sean Heary (Archery Ind. Compound Open qualification matches) beat Michael Arenz (Ger) 108 - 104. Through to next round.
Catherine Wayland (Athletics, Discus, F32-34/51-53) 8th Distance 6.13m.
Lisa Callaghan (Athletics Javelin, F35-38) 9th place overall 22.87m.
Michael McKillop (Athletics 800m Final T37) 1st Place, New World Record 1.59.39
Day five: Ellen Keane and Stephen Campbell are back in the pool. Meath's Sean Heary faces Go of Korea in the last 16 of the Archery open competition. Patrice Dockery goes in the heats of T53 100m. The Boccia team face hosts China in quarter-finals and both Irish boats are back on the water in Qingdao for races 6,7 and 8 of their campaigns. In the evening John McCarthy competes in the final of F32/51 combined discus event.
