Gold rush

MAT-SU — Many people dream of competing in the Olympics. For a pair of Mat-Su residents, Jeremy Hartman and Melanie Flowers, reality replaces the dream.

Hartman and Flowers will travel to China to compete in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which takes place Oct. 2-11 in Shanghai. Both athletes will compete in several aquatic events, ranging from individual backstroke sprints to team sprint relays, said their aquatic coach, Jackie Smith.

In the 25- and 50-meter sprints, athletes race against the clock and competitors to demonstrate their skills. Not only will Flowers and Hartman race for individual gold, they will join other members of Team USA in the aquatic relay events.

Flowers participates in individual events, but prefers relays because she likes being part of a team. The 35-year-old athlete has always enjoyed swimming, but was quick to admit she has a favorite event.

“I’m real fast at backstroke,” she said.

This will be Flowers’ first trip to China, but said she has plenty of Special Olympics experience. Flowers has participated in four World Games and is a veteran of Special Olympics competition. Experienced or not, she still has a lot on her mind going into China next month.

“I’m excited and nervous,” she said.

Jeremy Hartman, 28, is new to Special Olympics, but competes as though he’s been at it for years. Vigorous training isn’t enough to slow the swimmer down, he just keeps on swimming and enjoys every minute of it, he said.

“It’s fun and it’s good exercise,” Hartman said.

Although Hartman plans to concentrate on his events in China, he also hopes to meet new people. When not training, Hartman works at the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman as an inserter.

More than 7,000 athletes will compete in the Special Olympic games, including 400 athletes from the United States — five from Alaska, said Jim Balamaci, president of Special Olympics Alaska. Although Hartman and Flowers are the only Mat-Su Valley athletes embarking on the overseas adventure, the Valley will be well represented.

“They are both wonderful people and great athletes,” Balamaci said.

In accordance with the Special Olympics Alaska mission, the games provide a venue at which intellectually disabled people can demonstrate a commitment to physical fitness, Balamaci said, adding Special Olympics is not all about athletics.

“Not only does it promote sports, healthy living and diversity, but it also promotes word peace,” he said.

Smith and Balamaci agree that participating in the Special Olympics can be a life-altering experience.

“Once athletes compete their lives are changed forever,” Balamaci said. “They will have more confidence and grow as people.”

For more information about Special Olympics Alaska visit www.specialolympicsalaska.org.

Contact Chris Gillow at 352-2284 or chris.gillow@frontiersman.com.