1996: Paralympic record setter remembers excitement
Joseph Parker, an American athlete born in South Carolina September 21, 1978, made history as a 17-year-old at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta.
Parker, who was born with cerebral palsy affecting his left side, won two gold medals and broke world records in the Men’s 800m and 5000m events, forever marking his name in the world of athletics.
“I was running a 5K race back home in South Carolina, and there was a guy from the Olympic committee there. I ended up passing him at the straightaway,” Parker recounted. That race turned out to be life-changing, as the Olympic official approached Parker after the race and invited him to try out for the Paralympic team.
Initially hesitant, Parker, who had competed alongside able-bodied athletes in high school, didn’t see the opportunity as a fit for him. “I didn’t think it’d be fair if I ran in the Special Olympics,” he said. However, after a conversation with his mother and learning more about the Paralympics, Parker decided to give it a shot.
He attended time trials in Atlanta, where he made an immediate impact. “I ran in all three events, and I broke all the world records in each event at the time trials,” Parker said.
After securing his spot on the Paralympic team, he participated in a team USA presentation in Washington, D.C., meeting Vice President Al Gore and other prominent officials before undergoing weeks of intense training in South Carolina.
When Parker finally entered the Olympic Village in Atlanta, he found himself surrounded by an electric atmosphere. “It was the first televised Paralympics in the United States, so it was special,” he recalled.
During the 5000 meters, his favorite event, Parker led the entire race. “As I came to the straightaway, I finished and saw my time on the screen and saw ‘WR’ – it was a world record.” He went on to break another world record in the 800 meters, while finishing fourth in the 1500 meters.
Parker’s rise to Paralympic glory wasn’t just about athletic achievement; it was deeply rooted in his desire to prove that his disability did not define him. “I’ve always wanted to be compared to anybody else that doesn’t have a disability. I wanted to show that I could survive and be a good athlete,” he said.
Now 45 and living in Blairsville, Georgia, Parker continues to be a role model—not just for aspiring athletes, but also for his family. “I try to be encouraging and be a role model to other people and kids with disabilities. I have three of my own, and two step-kids, both with disabilities. I’m trying to train them into being the next Paralympians,” he shared with a chuckle.
Parker still holds the 5000 meters world record he set in 1996, and with the Paralympics set to return to Los Angeles in 2028, he’s considering a return to the track at 50 years old. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if I was one of the youngest and then one of the oldest? I’m not saying I am going to do it, but I’ve been contemplating if it’s possible, and I think anything’s possible.”
Today, Parker balances life as a father, grandfather and car salesman at Mountain Valley Motors in Blue Ridge. “These days, I focus on being a dad and a grandpa...my youngest son does sports, and my oldest son is in marching band. I’m proud of them and my stepchildren and my oldest daughter.”
Reflecting on his journey, Parker acknowledged the difficult decision he made after the Paralympics to prioritize his family over chasing further athletic dreams. “I had to make a decision—do I want to still run and chase my dreams, or do I need to ‘man up’ and start making money for the family?”
Though his competitive running days have slowed, Parker remains open to the possibility of a comeback. “Everyone loves a good comeback story,” he said with a smile, leaving the door open for what could be his next chapter.