When Brett Banford discovered he had been secretly nominated by his mother and then selected to run the Olympic Torch this July, his response was typical for the youngest son trying to keep up an image.

"Mom, thank you, but that's very embarrassing," he said.

As normal as the response may be, the 21-year-old Salt Lake City native is anything but ordinary. Ranked as a double black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, the 4-foot 11-inch man with Down syndrome has a mountain of personality.

Brett's mother, originally from Turkey, nominated him for his martial arts skill and his participation in the Special Olympics. Brett competes in everything from bowling to snowboarding. His involvement eventually landed him a position as a global messenger for the Special Olympics, giving him the chance to appear in commercials informing others of the Olympic cause.

Brett was chosen as one of three Utahns who inspire others and "overcome challenges within their own local communities," according to an Olympic Committee news release.

"He gets into everything," Brett's mother, Guler Banford, said about his double black-belt status. "All you have to do is get him to go... and before you know it he loves it."

The 21-year-old Salt Lake City native took up Tae-Kwon-Do with the dream of one day becoming a Power Ranger. The dream eventually inspired his whole family to take up the sport, especially his older brother Adam.

Ten years ago, Adam Banford saw his brother riding his bike home from training, wearing his uniform and carrying an equipment bag, and he wanted to know where Brett got all the cool stuff.

Adam followed his younger brother's ambitious example, eventually becoming an instructor and opening two schools.

Guler said raising two martial arts fanatics was a bit of a thrill. Her sons would often come into the kitchen and practice controlling their kicks - letting their feet fly just inches from her face. Guler, who goes by "Gu," said with a smile that it is easy to get used to being target practice.

"You get calloused to it," she said.

Brett said he loves his mother because she helped him get involved with the Olympics. However, it's not hard to see who Brett loves the most.

"My favorite family member in the whole house," Brett said, pointing to Buddy, his pet greyhound. "He's also my brother."

Even though Brett inspired Adam to take up Tae-Kwon-Do, Adam led the way for Olympic torch bearing. Brett still remembers watching Adam run the torch for the 2002 Olympics.

"I called him a pelican," Brett said with a laugh. He said he hopes he can run as well as his brother did, and recognizes the need to train for the Los Angeles Olympic Relay. So does his mother.

"Every single time I get off work she gets on my butt," Brett said. "'Let's go running Brett.'"

His mother, who stands just one inch shorter than Brett, just smiled and agreed.

"I don't think he realizes how big this is, the importance of it," she said.

Even with the complaints, Brett recognizes the need to train. Lifting weights, riding his roller blades home from school and running on the track at Highland High School are all part of the routine.

Brett met Steve Young during the last Winter Olympics. Brett said of Young, "He's a friendly, out-there kind of guy."

Even after meeting the sports announcer Terry Bradshaw and Olympic medallist Kristi Yamaguchi, Brett hopes he can meet just one other famous person.

"I hope to meet Hillary Duff," he said with a big grin.

After accomplishing so much and meeting so many famous people, Brett won't let the recent fame slow down his life goals.

"My big concern that I am really concerned about is having a perfect life," he said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 8 Jun 2004