Caroline Jackman: Tokyo Paralympic Games official

We spoke to Caroline Jackman before she hopped on the plane to officiate at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. 

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Athletics SA official Caroline Jackman is on deck at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and preparing to judge the seated throws competitions, starting on Friday (August 27). 

In her first Paralympics experience, Caroline was excited to have reached the pinnacle of athletics judging, after transitioning out of competing and into officiating 20 years ago.

"I was still competing in Adelaide when I first started officiating, and as you do you help out with judging - measuring and that sort of thing - at different times in competitions," she said. 

"Adelaide held a National All-Schools tournament here in the early 2000s and I helped out there as an official and I enjoyed it.

"I was coming out of my competing days at the time and I just knew it would be my next pathway."

Pursuing her love of the throwing disciplines, Caroline specialised in the javelin throughout her competing career, representing Australia at both junior and senior level.

Since then she has travelled the world as an official, completing study in Germany and judging at World Championship events in New Zealand and Dubai.

She joined the International Technical Official (ITO) in 2013, and now she has her feet planted on the ground in Tokyo. 

"To see the athletes perform up close and provide them with the opportunity to compete is something I really enjoy," she said. 

"On the other side of that, I used to be a thrower and I still love the sport so this is a great way to keep involved locally, nationally and internationally."

She said the Paralympic Games was the ultimate reward for effort and described the moment that she received her Tokyo Paralympics conformation two years ago as a feeling of "great pride".

"I just remember thinking 'I have made it'," she said. 

"This is what I do it for, to be on the biggest stage.

"I am so excited, I am a bit nervous because it is my first Paralympics, but I am really looking forward to the competition getting underway.

"What an opportunity to travel, meet new people, form connections and be involved in the sport I love at the highest level."

Caroline said athletics officiating was both an important and rewarding role and one she recommended to anyone interested in the sport.  

"The sport can't go ahead without officials, but it also can't go ahead without athletes," she said.

"I like to think that if someone doesn't remember that I judged their event I have done my job because it is not about me.

"I am there to adjudicate, make sure it is fair for everyone, and let the athletes go for it."

With the Birmingham Commonwealth Games coming up next year, the Paris Olympics in 2024, and the recently announced Brisbane Olympics in 2032 Caroline urged people to start their officiating journey now. 

"An Australian Olympics in 2032, that is so exciting and everyone should have a go at officiating," she said.

"Not everyone has the ability to make it as an athlete so officiating is a great way to be involved at the sport at local, national and international level.

"You don't have to have that dream to be an Olympic official, it's great judging out at events in Adelaide or helping your local athletics club.

"Officiating is the best seat in the house."

Interested in becoming an official? Contact Athletics SA on community@athleticssa.com.au to start your journey. 

Athletics SA will be hosting an online Jumps Seminar for new and existing officials on September 14, 2021 from 7-9pm, register here to take your place.   

By Josh Teakle