The visually-impaired sprinter, dubbed the fastest Paralympian in the world after winning gold in the 100 metres and 200m at both London 2012 and Beijing 2008, had his place confirmed by Athletics Northern Ireland today, despite doubts over his selection following his failure to meet the qualifying time.

As the Glasgow 2014 Parasport programme does not cover visually impaired athletes, Smyth will compete in the able bodied competition opening up the possibility of a race against Jamaican Usain Bolt who won 100m and 200m gold at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics.

The squad for Glasgow 2014 contains a mixture of experience and youth with a number of Northern Ireland record holders named to the team.

Alongside Smyth, pole vaulter Zoe Brown, 100m sprinter Amy Foster, hurdler Ben Reynolds and steeplechase athlete Kerry O'Flaherty are all record holders and will likely be the nation's best chance of securing an athletics medal.

Brown's 4.32 metres pole vault to win the Welsh Championships ranks her fourth in the Commonwealth.

She competed in the Games at Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 after making her debut in gymnastics at Kuala Lumpur 1998.

Foster set an Northern Irish record of 11.40 seconds for the short sprint in Clermont, Florida, last month, qualifying her for both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, while Reynolds' 110m hurdles national record time of 13.49secs, set at the Mary Peters Track International Opening Event in Belfast last year, will give him realistic final chances.

Zoe Brown will make her fourth Commonwealth Games appearance after making her debut in gymnastics in 1998 ©Getty Images



Like Smyth, 1,500m runner Daniel Mooney and hammer thrower Dempsey McGuigan did not make the selection guideline marks but have secured their spots on the team where they will be joined by the likes of Paul Pollock in the 10,000m, and Leon Reid in the 200m and 4x100m relay.

Katie Kirk, who has improved her 800m personal best this year by more than four seconds to 2 minutes 02.97 secsonds, has been selected for the squad, while Jason Harvey joins Smyth, Reid, Reynolds and Peter Glass in the 4x100m relay squad.

Gladys Ganiel could be a threat in the marathon after clocking 76 minutes 42 seconds for the half marathon in Reading before winning at Edinburgh.

She has a personal best of 2 hours 38 minutes.

Meanwhile, Christine McMahon will make her second Commonwealth Games appearance where she competes in the 400m hurdles.

"I am delighted that such a strong team of athletes has been selected to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow," said Jacqueline McKernan, athlete development manager at Athletics Northern Ireland.

"Each athlete selected responded to the challenge set in 2013 when the consideration standards were first announced and they continue to perform consistently as the season progresses.

"Athletics Northern Ireland have selected one of the largest ever athletics teams for the Commonwealth Games; the depth of talent and experience within the squad truly reflects how strong the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland is as a whole.

"Those athletes selected have shown dedication that is second to none and with the aid of their coaches they have earned their spot on the team, I would congratulate them all on their achievement."

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