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| Donald Pericle practicing in Dublin for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by Marc O'Sullivan IRELAND OUT] |
Thirty two years ago, a mere three years after Special Olympics began, Donald Pericle was taking part in his first competition: at 9 years old, Pericle began his athletic career. Thirty-two years and 150 medals later, Pericle is still going strong and improving each year he plays.
“When I am not working, I practice tennis,” he said. “I love to practice and could hit tennis balls all day long. I think this is why I have been successful.”
In 1971, Pericle remembers things were a lot different compared to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, in which he also competed. Then the competition back took place at a stadium in California and the only event available for competition was Track and Field (athletics).
Pericle’s career in Special Olympics has been exemplary. Every year since 1971, he has competed at either State, Regional and/or International levels. He started concentrating on tennis specifically 17 years ago (his hero is Andre Agassi), and has won a medal just about every Special Olympics competition he has entered since. At his last World Games in 1999, Pericle won gold in tennis doubles, and a bronze in the singles.
As the years have gone by, Pericle has watched the changes at the games with interest.
“These days we see many more athletes, much more countries, and many more sports,” he said. Traveling to Dublin, Ireland marked the first time he participated in a World Games outside the United States. “I feel honored and proud to be able to participate,” he said. Pericle finished fourth in both singles and doubles. He wrote in a diary of his time at the Games, “I started out slow but was happy that I played well at the end — the player from Chile was tough! But it was great to see my brother and Dad watching me in Ireland.”
Pericle has being in Ireland and says there was an amazing welcome for the team in their host town of Belfast. “It was a really big welcome. Everyone was waving.”
What of the 150 medals he has accumulated to date? Well, Pericle’s dad, Hank, and his brother, Tony, who both attend every competition he enters, have ensured every one of those medals is either framed or hung on the wall at home.
Pericle works for the U.S. Postal Service. He really enjoys sports and in his spare time you can find him hitting golf balls.
Aisling Mackey wrote the original article this profile was based on; it appeared in The Games Gazette, the official newspaper of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
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