Paul Marretti has never
met a stranger. From a
young age, he’s had a
gift for connecting with
people—something that
has fueled more than
four decades with
Special Olympics.

Paul began competing at
age 8 in New Jersey and
continued his journey
after moving to Virginia. What started with a local basketball practice grew into a lifelong commitment to sports and advocacy. From 2002–2004, he served as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger—one of just 12 athletes worldwide chosen to represent Special Olympics on a global stage. He has spoken to crowds of 75,000, including at the 2003 World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland.

Paul has served on the Special Olympics Virginia Board of Directors, earned the Virginia H. Foster Award, and was named to the U.S. Leadership Council. Beyond competition, he’s a dedicated leader—serving on the Virginia Chapter of People First board, becoming a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, and building a 25-year career with Kroger, where he now mentors others. His story was immortalized in the 2006 book By Their Works: Profiles of Men of Faith Who Have Made a Difference, where he was featured alongside legends like Babe Ruth, John F. Kennedy, and Vince Lombardi.

As one of Virginia’s original GameChangers, Paul continues to inspire the next generation with a simple message: believe in yourself, work hard, and never let a label define you.