Media Release

For Immediate Release

September 20

SMU alumnus goes for Gold!

A Saint Mary's alumnus has been selected to represent Canada at the 2007 Special Olympics World Games which will be held in Shanghai, China.

John “Jackie” Barrett (BComm '98) just received the big news from officials who are in charge of selecting Canadian athletes.

Barrett will compete in powerlifting and says he is elated to have been chosen to be a part of Team Canada.

“Hard work and dedication only gets you places,” he smiles during an interview.

“I am so proud to have been selected and can't wait for next fall's Special Olympics World Games in China. My goal is to take home the Gold,” he adds.

Barrett, who was a popular student during his days at SMU, trains for three hours each day and is a well known powerlifter in Canada.

The 2007 Special Olympics World Games will be held in October.

He has won a large number of athletic awards over the years. In 1997 he was Nova Scotia’s Junior Champion in the Nova Scotia Open Powerlifting contest, and in 2000 was named the Special Olympics Male Athlete of the Year. In 1991, he was the Nova Scotia Special Olympics Summer Games Oath Reader and three years later was the Torch Bearer for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

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For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca