Jarred Rome

Sport: Track and Field

Nation: United States of America

DOB: December 21, 1976

Hometown: Chula Vista, CA

Career Highlights: A hotshot at Boise State prior to the Broncos becoming a football powerhouse, it may have been a football injury that led Rome to become an outstanding discus thrower. Rome hurt his knee in his senior year of high school and later took up the discus, turning into a six-time All-American with the Broncos. He qualified for the 2004 Olympics but finished 13th in Athens, then failed to make the 2008 team when he finished 11th at the U.S. trials. Rome didn't give up, finding time to continue competing while also serving as the head throws coach at Mesa College in San Diego. He finished second at the 2012 U.S. trials, securing a spot in his second Olympics on his final throw by posting a 63.35-meter toss to eclipse Ian Waltz and punch his ticket to London. “I went for it on my last throw and gave it 100%. I thought if I slip, I slip, and fortunately I didn’t," Rome said. "I didn’t make one cent until I made the Olympic team. At the end of the day it’s that much more satisfying when you do make it."

Olympic History: 2004