PARALYMPICS: SPRINTER JASON Smyth hopes the steady resolve he displayed in front of 90,000 people in the Bird's Nest on Saturday, where he memorably took gold in the 100 metres, will help him do what Usain Bolt did for Jamaica last month at the Olympics and secure a win at 200 metres to add to his 100-metre honours, and in record time to boot.

Smyth, who is second only to Paul Hession in the mainstream Irish rankings, was unfazed by the pressure, displaying the same coolness on the track as he does off it, where he will discuss his strengths or his training regime or Steven Gerrard's season with the same steady focus.

Even a false start at the Bird's Nest did not rattle him, and when the race got under way he quickly opened up a commanding lead that second-placed Alexey Labzin of Russia and third-placed Luis Felipe Gutierrez of Cuba - on whom Smyth and his camp had been keeping a close eye - were never able to make up.

"I'm thrilled; it's awesome! I've put in so much work; it's all gone so well. To break my own world record twice in one day, I knew it was there; it was just a matter of coming out and doing it on the big occasion, and I'm so pleased I did," he said.

So far, Ireland's two gold medals, half of the nation's haul for the Games so far, have come from the same room in the Paralympic Village.

Smyth shares a room in Beijing with Michael McKillop from Belfast, who won the 800 metres (T37) on Wednesday night, also in world-record time.

McKillop hung his gold medal around Smyth's neck as the 100-metre star ran his victory lap around the Bird's Nest, and the two are friends.

Many athletes from Northern Ireland choose to represent Ireland, rather than Britain, when it comes to the Paralympics.

The pool of athletes in Ireland is much smaller than in Britain; also the funding in Ireland is relatively good - both Smyth and McKillop receive significant grants from the Irish Sports Council.

Smyth was already training with his full-time coach, Stephen Maguire, when his eye problem became an issue; he just hadn't mentioned it previously. The problem developed around the age of seven or eight, and it is hereditary - his grandfather had it.

The condition makes it difficult to focus, though he can see the white lines on the track. A shower of rain can, however, make the lines difficult to discern.

One of the effects of his visual impairment is that Smyth cannot see the finishing tape clearly, which means he never dips; he never leans in to breast the tape.

The win at the weekend in his debut Paralympics, combined with a good performance tonight in the 200 metres, will give him a real confidence boost and help him with his bid to compete in the Olympics as well as the Paralympics in London in 2010.