Manitoba’s Darek Mikita shares his experiences and insights from his journey as an umpire at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. His passion for the sport and dedication to officiating shine through as he discusses the honor of being selected for such a prestigious occasion.
“It is such a great honor to be selected for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris,” Mikita expressed. “Participating in Para events is always inspirational; it reminds me of how these incredible athletes have no limits when competing at such a high level.” He shared that a poster in his workout room serves as a constant reminder of resilience: “It doesn’t matter how difficult any day is—‘What is your excuse?’ I keep this in mind, especially when some of my colleagues ask to leave early because of a headache,” he chuckled.
Mikita’s journey to officiating at the Olympic Games has been a challenging yet rewarding one. “To be considered for selection to the Olympic or Paralympic Games, you must meet minimum requirements, such as being a Gold or Blue Badge International level umpire,” he explained. “In Canada, you also need to be next on the rotational list. I achieved my Blue Badge in 2005, but it’s tough for Canadian umpires to maintain Gold or Blue Badge status due to the limited availability of international tournaments for evaluations in Canada or the USA. We often apply for overseas tournaments, hoping for successful evaluations.”
Preparation for the unique challenges of officiating at such a prestigious event is crucial. “Like anything you want to achieve in life, finding a good mentor and asking questions is key,” Mikita advised. “It’s also important to participate in smaller tournaments first to get your feet wet. Additionally, studying the Para rules is essential to ensure you’re properly equipped to umpire.”
Ensuring that all players adhere to the rules and regulations during matches is a fundamental responsibility for any umpire. “It’s vital to show players from the start that you know the rules and are not afraid to enforce them if necessary,” he emphasized. “Evaluators and referees continuously remind us to pay attention to correct service and the proper behavior of players and coaches.”
Mikita highlighted the electrifying atmosphere of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. “The noise in the playing hall was incredible; spectators were stomping their feet on the metallic flooring of the bleachers, creating a thunderous sound,” he recalled. “Every match was a highlight for me, as I had the opportunity to umpire at least one match from each of the 11 classes for athletes with disabilities. If I had to pick a standout moment, it would be the final in Men’s Class 7 between Will Bayley (GBR) and Yan Shuo (CHN). After many phenomenal rallies, Yan won 3-2. Even with a microphone on, I couldn’t hear myself over the noise—it was definitely a highlight of my umpiring career.”
For younger officials aspiring to become Paralympic umpires, Mikita offers valuable advice: “Study the rules, find a mentor who can share their experiences, and ask plenty of questions. Watching matches on YouTube can also be incredibly helpful. Most importantly, set a goal of becoming a Paralympic umpire.”
Looking ahead, Mikita has exciting plans for his future in officiating. “At the end of last year, I attended Evaluator School in Beijing and successfully completed it. I was informed that the 2024 Paralympics will be my last official tournament as a Blue Badge Umpire. My next ITTF assignment will be as an Evaluator in training. After completing the practical portion, I will begin evaluating umpires internationally. I still want to contribute more in Canada and Manitoba as a technical official.”
Darek Mikita’s journey as a Paralympic umpire is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport.His insights and experiences serve as an inspiration to aspiring officials and athletes alike.
