"Playing and being Official is the same thing because you get involved with the people on and off the court" says Jeremy Colter, a former Special Olympics basketball athlete who became an S.O. Official.
Jeremy is 24 years old and was born in New Hampshire, USA. When he is not refereeing he works at a gas station. At the age of 5 the doctor told him that he could not talk or walk and that they could not do anything to change this. There was however one doctor who wanted to help him, so after being tested he ended up at a different school. Supported by the love of his family he “did not take no for an answer” and told everyone “I can do this better than you".
He was a Special Olympics athlete for 8 years when he stopped playing. With the help of his mentor, Donald Marcotte, Jeremy completed the Special Olympics Officials’ Program for Athletes (SOOPA) and became an Official. This is his second time as Offiical in Special Olympics World Games. His first time was in China.
He’s having a great experience in Athens. Regarding his relationship with the players he "understands how to interact with the players". His goal is "to try to let everyone know that if you say ‘I can’ anything is possible".
|
