Cymryd Rhan

From the age of 15 my hobby was tenpin bowling and I competed in two leagues every week until the early nineties. My highlight was representing GB at the European Championships in Copenhagen in 1987 where I won three medals, one of each colour.

I first became involved with athletics in 1982 when my twin daughters joined Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers. I used to take them to their matches most weekends and then the usual request for help would be announced. I qualified as a Grade 4 British Athletics official in 1983 and used to officiate at about 70 meetings a season as I knew I wanted to progress through the grades. I became involved with disability athletics in 1986 when I first went to have a look round Stoke Mandeville. During the following years I also qualified as a track judge and to this day officiate as such at several army meetings each season. The first meeting that I can remember officiating in Wales was is Cwmbran in 1991 and I have been coming down ever since.

For my sins I was secretary of the South of England Officials Association for nineteen years, having been assured that if I volunteered, it would only be for six months! I also became a tutor for H & S and the various Levels. Over the years I have been involved with just about every disability within athletics officiating. I was a Chief Judge at three World Championships, in the UK, New Zealand and Lyon and my highlight, at the Paralympics in London 2012. I have been involved with the wheelchair London Marathon for about 29 years.

I started officiating at Special Olympics events some 20+ years ago and have acted as referee at the GB National events as well as Regionals for many years. In 2011 I was invited to the World Special Olympics in Athens to act as an ITO and then as ITO/Field Referee in Los Angeles in 2015 and Dubai 2019.

Over the years I have been very fortunate that my hobby has enabled me to travel and meet some amazing people.

Ros Alterman