Bermejo competes in Games

Omar Bermejo was recently nominated to represent the United States as a member of the cross country and biathlon teams at the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Bermejo, a Grand Rapids, Mich. native who lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident, previously served the U.S. through five tours of Iraq with the Marine Corps. The Sochi Games mark his Olympic debut.    Bermejo moved to Caribou in June of 2013 and has spent this year training alongside fellow Olympians Kris Freeman, Russell Currier and Annalies Cook. He has served as an excellent role model for the Maine Winter Sports Center Junior Racing Team and has offered his insights into sport and life at several area school classrooms.
“Omar is a standout not only on the tracks, but also in the community,” said Will Sweetser, Bermejo’s coach and competitive programs director at MWSC. “His infectious enthusiasm helps everyone he comes in contact with see just how fantastic sports and sharing time outside can be.
“His progress in the sport is amazing,” added Sweetser. “He only came to skiing two seasons ago. That he has already scored IPC World Cup points and been named to represent the U.S. is really a testament to his work ethic and commitment to excellence.”
Bermejo joins Currier, Freeman, Cook, as well as MWSC alumni Tim Burke, Lowell Bailey and Lanny Barnes as United States Olympians competing in Sochi this winter.