Medal memories shine for local athlete

SANDPOINT - More than 25 years after capturing multiple medals at the 1983 Special Olympics Summer Games, Scott Milbrath still unleashes a thousand-watt smile when he thinks about the excitement he felt representing his country.

Milbrath, 44, is undoubtedly one of the most decorated athletes in the area, having won a gold medal in the 400-meter dash, a silver in the mile run and another gold as part of a relay team at the 1983 games in Baton Rouge, La.

Now working at Sandpoint's Alpine Cedar, Milbrath has traded his running shoes for work boots, but still thinks about the years he spent training for the games and the day his work paid off in gold.

"The training was so hard that I wanted to give up, but I told myself, 'Don't give up, you'll do fine,'" Milbrath said. "Every time I look at (my medals) I just say, that was a great year and I'll never forget it. Nobody can take that away from me."

While they are every bit as competitive and devoted to their sport as any other world-class athlete, Joan Milbrath, Scott's mom, said Special Olympians possess a sportsmanship that is often ignored elsewhere.

"At the games, a lot of the athletes gave up winning their own race if there was another athlete that needed help. It was so heartwarming to see that," she said.

Following his success at the games, Milbrath was given an invitation to carry the Flame of Hope through his then-hometown of Klamath Falls, Ore. on its way to the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"That was a very special honor for me. I didn't know I'd be able to run with the torch, but I was honored to run with it. It felt really special," Milbrath said.

He's been out of competition for years, but Milbrath will get another taste of the Olympic spirit this afternoon when he joins law enforcement agents and fellow athletes as they pass through Sandpoint on their way to Boise for the 2009 Special Olympic World Winter Games.

Runners will carry the Flame of Hope on a 1.5-mile path through town, ending at Sandpoint City Hall with a torch run ceremony. Community members are encouraged to attend the ceremony and show support for the athletes by cheering them on along the route.

Speakers at the ceremony will include police Det. Larry Mays of New Jersey and Olympian Jason Reinhold of Michigan. A multi-sport athlete, Reinhold has amassed more than 50 medals in his 20 years as a Special Olympian.

Though it has been years since his own Special Olympics experience, Milbrath is more than happy to give advice to those preparing to compete at the Boise games.

"I would say, do your best, and even if you don't win, you're still a winner," he said.