Even with one gold medal and two bronze in his possession in Paralympics competition, Scott Moore isn’t used to being the leader of the field.
But he’s the most decorated athlete in the Rocky Mountain State Games, to be held Aug. 4-6 in Colorado Springs. More than 5,000 athletes will compete in 29 sports over three days at the Air Force Academy, Colorado College and the Olympic Training Center.
Moore’s expertise is judo. He won a gold medal in the Sydney Paralympics and bronze medals in Atlanta and Athens.
“It’s probably unusual for a disabled athlete to lead the field,” Moore said. “It’s especially so here in Colorado with the Olympic Training Center right here. I’m proud to be considered a leader, but it puts a little pressure on me, too.”
Moore, a staff member at the University of Colorado Health and Science Center, is one of 33 visually impaired athletes entered in the Games. They have a special role in the sports festival, the first to have open admission to blind or visually impaired athletes from all regions of the country.
Entries have been received from 49 states as well as New Zealand. Disabled athletes will be competing in swimming, judo, track and field, wrestling, power lifting and the 5K run.
One of the more dedicated competitors is Anthony Selveggo of St. Louis, who is blind. He competes in the 100 and 200 meters, the long jump and the shot put. He uses voice commands from coaches to compete in the 100, 200 and long jump.
“I think it’s interesting for disabled athletes to compete against able-bodied athletes,” Moore said. “But it’s interesting for able-bodied athletes to see how we compete as well.”
The gymnastics field also has Olympic overtones, with Jaycie Phelps-McClure, a gold medalist on the U.S. women’s team in Atlanta, on hand. Phelps-McClure is coaching sisters Sharaya Musser, 15, and Alecia Musser, 14, both considered candidates for the 2008 U.S. Olympic women’s team.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
