Jackie Barrett-Athlete

By January 12, 2023 January 19th, 2024 hall of fame

Inducted 2021

Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a Corner Brook area resident since 2008, Jackie Barrett, has been involved in Powerlifting and 5 Pin Bowling as a Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador athlete for many years. At the national level, Jackie competed for Nova Scotia at the 1994 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Swimming, and the 1998, 2002, and 2006 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Powerlifting; and competed for Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2010 and 2014 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Powerlifting. He captured a total of 22 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal in Swimming and Powerlifting at six Special Olympics Canada Summer Games appearances. Jackie competed for Canada at the 1999, 2007, 2011, and 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Powerlifting, capturing a total of 13 gold and 2 silver medals. In his sports career, Jackie has won several awards. He was named Special Olympics Canada’s “Male Athlete of the Year” in 2000 and 2015. In 2000 and 2008, he was a finalist for Sport Nova Scotia’s “Individual Male Athlete of the Year” award. In 2011, he received the City of Corner Brook “Achievement in Community Excellence” and “Male Athlete of the Year” awards. In 2015, he received the Dr. Frank Hayden Athlete Lifetime Achievement Award and became the first Special Olympian to be a Lou Marsh Trophy nominee. As a record-breaking Powerlifter, Jackie made history as the first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 2019 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. While training and excelling in each sport, Jackie also found the time to work towards his educational dreams. He graduated from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in 1998 and CDI College with a Programmer Analyst and Internet Solutions Developer Diploma in 2006. He presently works as a Webmaster at Academy Canada in Corner Brook. His abilities and successes are a testament to his passion for sports which shows in his role as a Powerlifting Coach, Peer Mentor, and Executive Member with Special Olympics Corner Brook.