Wallaceburg's Jeff May Empowers Para-Athletes at Boiling Point
Wallaceburg's Jeff May
He’d seen it all, done it all, and won it all. With numerous Canadian National and Provincial medals, and a marathon win in tow as an athlete, all that was left for Wallaceburg’s Jeff May to do, was to begin giving back to the rest of the sporting world.
That’s why 5 years ago, May founded “Boiling Point,” what is quickly becoming North America’s premier para- track and field meet, welcoming para-athletes from across the globe, to compete in events in a variety of classifications,
“It’s simply the calibre of athletes we attract that separates and makes us second to none to other events held in North America,” said May, “We’ve had athletes from 13 countries come compete and this year we are welcoming the men’s T54 wheelchair 100m World Record holder Leo-Pekka Tahti from Finland for the first time which will push our total to 14 countries. 56 medalists from the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 have competed at Boiling Point and 4 World Records have been broken at Boiling Point.”
For May, founding Boiling Point was a logical step. After competing at every level in Canadian para-athletics, May, who propels his chair using his legs unlike most athletes who utilize their arms, was told he did not fit the classification, and therefore was ineligible for, the World Championships and Paralympic Games. It was his frustration with this decision and the available options, that made May’s decision to start Boiling Point an easy one,
“I was starting to think “what’s next?” and how can I still be a part of the sport? I just thought it was wrong that Canada’s Paralympic team was far outdoing the Olympic team in terms of medals and success and yet there wasn’t a single elite annually held international event in this country for these athletes to compete in. My coach at the time Dave Greig and I got to talking about my future on the way home from a meet one day and during that car ride home Boiling Point was born.”
For May, it’s now become a way to open doors for others that once stood shut in front of athletes like himself,
“In a perfect world we wouldn’t need a separate system, all of the major able bodied events would be fully integrated. There has definatly been some headway being made in the integration movement, but it’s slow and not where it should be for 2011. The other huge importance of Boiling Point is to give children with physical disabilities a first hand look at what they potentially are capable of. Some who have newly acquired their disability are too intimidated to try sport in an able bodied setting. The All Comers section of our event gives these participants the positive setting that is more likely to have them continue being active.”
With this years event, occuring July 9th at the University of Windsor Stadium, marking the 5th year of the event, May admits even he has been humbled and gets slightly lost thinking about the success Boiling Point has reached, and the growth the event has experienced in such a short time,
“It’s easy to get lost in the logistics of the current event, but every now and then it hits me all we’ve done. Boiling Point has hosted the 2007 World Championship wheelchair 1500m selection trials. The inaugural Ontario Para Athletics Championships was hosted at Boiling Point. The first in active duty injured Canadian solider to compete took place at Boiling Point just last year.”
Just as May has been breaking down barriers, and working to overcome adversity his entire life, he’s now working to do that for others. After reaching his own “Boiling Point,” May has created an event in which all athletes feel welcomed, and all athletes, regardless of their ability, or disability, can feel success and support. In essence, May is giving youth and adults alike the opportunity to experience the true essence and power of sport and athletics.
Although May has nearly 30 Provincial and National Championships on the track, has been recognized by the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Windsor, what really gives him satisfaction is his own recognition of other athletes he sees on the track, that he knows he has had a part in bringing together through sport and athletics at Boiling Point,
“What makes it hit home for me is when I’m at another event throughout the summer and I see athletes in our t-shirts and hats, or bags with our logo on it swung over their shoulder. That’s pretty cool.”
For more information about the Boiling Point Wheelchair Track Classic, visit the official Boiling Point website at www.boilingpointglobal.com.