Rome: A larger-than-life Olympian

The first time I’d met Jarred Rome, he seemed larger than life.

In town to promote the annual Iron Wood Throws Classic at the Iron Wood Training Center in Rathdrum, as intimidating as he might have looked, he was just as helpful, courteous and willing to do whatever it took to get the correct information in a timely manner.

Rome, an Olympian in the discus at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and again in 2012 at London, was willing to share his knowledge with whoever wanted it.

ROME, 42, passed away suddenly on Sept. 21 in Tulalip, Wash. The former Marysville Pilchuck High star had been in western Washington after being inducted into the Snohomish County Hall of Fame just a few days earlier.

He later competed at Boise State.

Rome was promoted to a full-time assistant coach at Boston University after serving in a part-time role during the 2018-19 season.

He also coached at several national throwing camps across the country and served as the director of the Iron Wood Thrower Development Camp in Rathdrum, while also directing the Jarred Rome Throws Clinic at multiple locations across the country. In 2014, Rome — along with throws guru Bart Templeman — started the Iron Wood Throws Classic, which feature the top Olympic/national and high school level throwers for a two-day competition, competing in the javelin, discus, hammer throw and shot put.

“He was such a good guy,” Templeman said. “He did a great job working with the kids. We’ll miss him greatly.”

Templeman met Rome when he started attending the Iron Wood Throws Camps in Coeur d’Alene as a junior in high school.

“I’ve known and worked with him for a while,” Templeman said. “When he made the 2012 Olympic team, I made him the director of the camps, but continued to help. The kids loved him. I mean, how many times can you actually stand next to an Olympian? He was probably the strongest thrower in the world in 2012, and was such a good guy. We’re going to miss him greatly.”

Bryan ‘Bud’ Rasmussen coached Rome during his career.

“Jarred’s sudden passing has been such a devastating loss for the entire track and field community throughout the United States and abroad,” Rasmussen said in an email. “The awesome, overwhelming response from people worldwide who have expressed their grief, appreciation and gratitude speaks volumes about the passionate way he lived his life and positive impact that he had in service to others throughout his throwing and coaching careers, and in his personal life.”

ROME WAS the throws coach at Division II Concordia University in Portland from 2013 to 2018 before leaving for Boston. Rome trained with former Post Falls High and Washington State standout Ian Waltz while at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., where Rasmussen was a coach in 2005.

“I’ve never seen anyone work harder and so consistently toward achieving their goals than Jarred and Ian,” Rasmussen said. “It was my complete honor and privilege to be able to work with them and I learned so much from our time spent together. I and so many of my colleagues will forever miss him greatly.”

Rasmussen shared some thoughts via social media from Waltz on Rome.

“JRO,” Waltz said in a post. “When I heard the news yesterday morning, my heart sank. And then all the memories started flooding my head of the journey we had together. Jarred and I were training partners/best friends for 10 years. Through this time, we stuck together and pushed each other to someday make that oh so sweet Olympic team together. He was a human being that loved others and was always the life of the party and had the most infectious laugh in the room. His work ethic was second to none, and pushed others to be their best. His legacy will live on and inspire others.”

Private family services will be held this weekend.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.