'Special' Moment For Local Sailor

Look out, Michael Phelps.

The record-breaking swimmer is not the only Olympian from Baltimore County who has a love of the water. White Marsh resident Jimmy Dietrich has gold medal aspirations of his own, as he will be traveling to Athens, Greece later this month to compete in the Special Olympics.

Dietrich, 50, will represent the United States in the sailing competition—set for June 30-July 3—in the Special Olympics. Dietrich will be one of an estimated 7,500 Special Olympics athletes (315 from the U.S.) from 185 nations expected to compete.

Team USA will depart from BWI Marshall Airport (BWI) on June 18 and the following day will arrive in the Isle of Rhodes, a Greek island located 11 miles southwest of Turkey in the eastern Aegean Sea. The team will then stay in Rhodes for five days, where they will be immersed in Greek culture by taking in the country's food, customs and spirit.

On June 24, the team will sail by ferry into Athens, where they will compete until July 5. The team is scheduled to arrive back at BWI on July 6.

For Dietrich, the Special Olympics is the culmination of 10 years of sailing, including the last five with his partner/mentor Bob Battista. The pair has trained mostly at the Baltimore County Sailing Center, which is based at Rocky Point State Park in Essex.

“Jimmy works very hard and is very athletic,” said Battista, 67, of Essex. “I think he has a great chance of winning a medal in Greece.”

Competing on the world stage is nothing new for Dietrich, who represents one of seven U.S. sailing teams in Greece. He has participated in Special Olympics for 25 years, competing in athletics, basketball, bowling, power lifting and sailing. Dietrich also works part-time at Ikea in White Marsh.

In these Games, Battista and Dietrich will be competing in the international 420s, where the pair will be grouped against sailors of similar age and ability.

“I’m really excited to compete and be a part of the American team,” Dietrich said.

Frank Dietrich, Jimmy’s father, said his son first became interested in sailing many years ago when the elder Dietrich took him out on the water. He took to the sport very quickly, and when he found out he could compete for a spot in the Olympics, decided it was something he wanted to pursue.

“He’s ready to go,” Frank Dietrich said. “He’s done really well with this so far and I’m so proud he will be representing his country.”

Battista, 67, has been involved in Special Olympics for 30 years. He initially got involved assisting skiers after the Special Olympics of Maryland went to the Baltimore Ski Club seeking volunteers.

Battista, who started to assist with sailing about 15 years ago, said being involved with the Special Olympics has been one of the most rewarding experiences in his life.

“It gives me a sense of well-being and the chance to help others,” Battista said. “It’s an amazing experience.”