Jackie Barrett

John "Jackie" Barrett (born April 25, 1974) is a Canadian powerlifter. Barrett, who is autistic, has won thirteen gold medals competing for Canada in the Special Olympics World Summer Games and retired after setting three Special Olympics records at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles.[2][3]

Jackie Barrett

Personal information
Full name	John Robert "Jackie" Barrett
Nationality	Canadian
Born	(1974-04-25) April 25, 1974 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Residence	Gillams, Newfoundland and Labrador
Sport
Sport	Men's Powerlifting
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	Squat: 277.5 kg (2015) Bench Press: 153 kg (2001) Deadlift: 300 kg (2012) Total: 697.5 kg (2015)
Medal record Men's Powerlifting Representing  Canada Special Olympics World Summer Games 1999 Raleigh-Durham Bench Press 1999 Raleigh-Durham Deadlift 1999 Raleigh-Durham Double Combination 2007 Shanghai Squat 2007 Shanghai Bench Press 2007 Shanghai Deadlift 2007 Shanghai Triple Combination 2011 Athens Squat 2011 Athens Bench press 2011 Athens Deadlift 2011 Athens Triple Combination 2015 Los Angeles Squat[1] 2015 Los Angeles Bench press[1] 2015 Los Angeles Deadlift[1] 2015 Los Angeles Triple combination[1] Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 1998 Sudbury, ON Bench Press 1998 Sudbury, ON Deadlift 1998 Sudbury, ON Double Combination 2002 Prince Albert, SK Bench Press 2002 Prince Albert, SK Deadlift 2002 Prince Albert, SK Double Combination 2006 Brandon, MB Squat 2006 Brandon, MB Bench Press 2006 Brandon, MB Deadlift 2006 Brandon, MB Triple Combination 2006 Brandon, MB Top Men's Powerlifter 2010 London, ON Squat 2010 London, ON Bench Press 2010 London, ON Deadlift 2010 London, ON Triple Combination 2014 Vancouver, BC Squat 2014 Vancouver, BC Bench Press 2014 Vancouver, BC Deadlift 2014 Vancouver, BC Triple Combination 2014 Vancouver, BC Top Men's Powerlifter

Jackie is a Halifax, Nova Scotia native residing in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Biography

John "Jackie" Barrett was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and raised in a suburban community of Spryfield. He presently resides in the Corner Brook area.

In 1980, Jackie was diagnosed with Autism, Learning Disability, and Speech Impairment. He gradually regained his ability to talk at age six.

Jackie spent most of his elementary school years in Special Education classes while he gradually normalized his academic and developmental abilities. He was enrolled in a general academic program in Grade 7 and early Grade 8, and a full academic program starting his late Grade 8 year.

At age 13, a family friend suggested that Jackie should be involved with Special Olympics. He decided to join the organization as a Swimmer.

During his high school years, Jackie lifted weights almost daily to help build his speed in Swimming.

At the 1994 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Halifax, his Team Nova Scotia Swimming Coaches took him to a Powerlifting competition and was amazed as how much weight they lifted.

Based on his coach's suggestions, Jackie took up Powerlifting in 1995 and retired from Swimming in 1996. He competed in five appearances at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, and four appearances at the Special Olympics World Summer Games as a Powerlifter.

During his Special Olympics Powerlifting Career, Jackie has set numerous Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Special Olympics Canada, and Special Olympics World Records.

Education

Jackie has a Grade 12 Academic Diploma from J. L. Ilsley High School, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary's University.

Awards and Honours

Jackie Barrett was Sport Nova Scotia "Individual Male Athlete of the Year" runner-up for 1999-2000 and 2007-2008.

In 2015, Jackie was the first Special Olympian to be a Lou Marsh Trophy nominee. [4]

Jackie was named Special Olympics Canada "Male Athlete of the Year" in 2000 and 2015, and "Dr. Frank Hayden Athlete Lifetime Achievement Award" recipient in 2015.

In 2019, Jackie was inducted into the "Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame", becoming the first Special Olympian in its history to receive this honour.[5]

Jackie Barrett was named into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame "Class of 2020-2021" in the "Athlete" Category on May 27, 2020, becoming a first Special Olympics athlete in history to receive Canada's highest permanent sports honour. The formal induction ceremony will be held sometime in 2021.[6]

References

1. ""Newfoundland Moose" wins 3 gold, 1 silver at Special Olympics World Games". cbc.ca. August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
2. Yvonne Zacharias (July 9, 2014). "Newfoundland powerlifter keeps smashing records at Special Olympics". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
3. Devon O'Neil (August 2, 2015). "Jackie Barrett, the "Moose" of the World Games, Sets Three Records, Then Retires". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
4. Ben Whyte (December 15, 2015). "Carey Price wins Lou Marsh Award for Canada's top athlete of 2015". The Score. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
5. Allan April (November 16, 2019). "Jackie Barrett becomes first Special Olympian inducted into N.S. Sports Hall of Fame". CTV Atlantic. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
6. CBC Newfoundland and Labrador (May 31, 2020). "A league of his own: Powerlifter, Special Olympian honoured with national hall of fame induction". CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved June 29, 2020.