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| Paul Asaro, Special Olympics New York USA. |
Cyclist 'buys' holidays from work to make trip
by Julie-Anne Barnes
"He has used his talent to the utmost and beyond," says Paul Asaro, Sr. of his son Paul.
Asaro Junior took vacation days from his job with Pitney Bowes Management Services in the Credit Suisse First Boston mailroom in Manhattan to compete in cycling events —the 40k Road Race (where he finished 4th) and the 25k Road Race (5th place) — at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Asaro has been working with the company for two years as a mail clerk, and he had to buy extra holiday days from the company so he could extend his stay.
His father said the job has been very important for his self-esteem and he has been very focused and very determined. Asaro says that he is like a car: "I've got my dangers, and I look at the other riders, and I stick with them."
Asaro has competed in many Special Olympics sports, including aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, golf and football (soccer). He qualified for the World Games by winning a gold medal in the 2001 Special Olympics New York Fall Games in Saugerties. He is devoted to cycling, and often rides 10, 20, even 30 miles at a clip during his training.
In addition to his salaried job, Asaro is a volunteer fireman in Eastchester.
© from The Irish Times 24 June 2003. Reprinted with permission, all rights reserved.
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