HIBBING, MN (Northland's NewsCenter)---An Iron Range man recently brought home two silver medals in the 2011 Special Olympic Games in Greece.
Twenty-eight-year-old Richard Martin of Hibbing has played eight different Special Olympic sports over the past six years.
"Track, softball, golf, bowling, skiing, hockey, basketball and tennis," Richard Martin said.
Martin started playing tennis just two years ago when a Special Olympic division was created in Hibbing.
After winning two gold medals in the 2010 state tennis match, Martin became eligible for the 2011 Special Olympic Games in Greece.
That's when the training got intense and since then, family members say it's been an ongoing roller-coaster.
"The U.S.A. coaches are great," Mary Martin, Richards mother said. "They sent out a training plan in December, a calendar for every day of the week. Right up until the time that they left they had to work on fitness goals and training, teamwork, nutritional goals, all of that so, we had to build a lot of that into our schedule."
Special Olympic athletes follow the same rules as for U.S. tennis association participants but prior to the Olympic Games; players are assessed and placed in one of eight divisions according to skill level.
"It was a good time; it was the first time that I had been there so it was a great opportunity to represent my country and U.S.A., "Martin said.
When he's not playing sports Martin can be found volunteering with Meals on Wheels and Groceries to Go.
"He's an extremely busy, busy guy, but he's always got a smile on his face, and he's always happy to do what he's doing," Eric Johnsrud, a friend, said.
Martin is currently training for area and state meets in both softball and golf.
Posted to the web: Jennifer Walch
jwalch@northlandsnewscenter.com
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