Thirty years ago Sharon native Gaile Spadin decided to take a self-defense course for all of the ``normal'' reasons women take such a class.
Now, at the age of 56, Spadin finds herself headed for Atlanta to officiate the judo competition in the summer Olympic games.
The art of judo, which was the core of the self-defense class, attracted Spadin for several reasons. She said she liked the range of people participating _ young and old, rich and poor, professionals and laborers. ``It is a great equalizer,'' she explained.
She did not, however, care for its attitude toward women. Even now, Spadin said she feels the pressure being the only woman refereeing this summer's Olympic competition. ``I know any mistake will be closely noted,'' she said.
When Spadin entered the sport in 1966, women were not allowed to compete at all. ``We were relegated pretty much to the sidelines. Plus I had three young children at the time and could not afford to get hurt.''
Instead, Spadin studied her art while moving through the belt rankings.
In 1977 she became the first woman in the western hemisphere to officiate international competitions. She received an ``A'' accreditation by the International Judo Federation.
Since then, she was the first woman to referee a U.S. Olympic Festival (1987) and the first woman to referee at an international tournament (1987). She has earned a forth-degree black belt ranking as well.
Only 10 women in the world now hold the IJF-A rating required to officiate at the Olympics.
She and two other American judges will join 24 other judges from around the world to officiate for 400 men and women competing in seven weight classes.
Unlike karate, judo bans dangerous kicks and blows and instead emphasizes the art of movement and athletics.
Spadin said the prescribed interactions, the hard training and the self-discipline are what she likes most about the sport.
The daughter of Lucille and the late Eugene E. McGranahan, 3615 Mt. Hickory Blvd., Hermitage, Ms. Spadin graduated from Sharon High School in 1956 and attended Youngstown State University. She moved to Maryland in 1960 when she got married.
She works for Data Interchange Standards Association, Alexandria, Va., as the director of International Programs. After the Olympics, Spadin said she hopes to take a break from work and training and spend time with her mother and three grown children.
published Thursday, July 18,1996
