Judge gets 'golden ticket' to officiate Olympics

A trampoline judge said it was a dream come true after he was invited to officiate the Olympic Games in Paris.

Andrews Jones, 40, from Ipswich, had his own career in the sport before he found his passion in judging.

He was asked by the Olympics if he would be an execution judge on 2 August, which he said he could not believe.

"I was one of the lucky ones who got a golden ticket," he said.

Mr Jones started competing in trampolining from the age of 14, which is considered late in the sport.

Despite that, he reached national level and while in university he became curious about judging.

After enrolling in a course, he said he knew straight away it was something he loved.

"It wasn't long after that I decided to hang up my leotard and focus more on the judging," he explained.

"I've been involved in it ever since then and I'm really passionate about it.

"I really believe it's a way of giving back to the sport but it's interesting to make those finite judgements and decisions in really quick succession and know that you're making a difference."

Mr Jones, who gained his first judging qualification in 2003, found out late last year he had been selected to judge this year's Olympics.

He will judge the men and women's individual events at the Bercy Arena in Paris.

"Every judge always dreams of going to the Olympics but you never quite think it's going to happen," he continued.

"I couldn't believe it. There are so many other judges who are equally capable of doing this and who could have been selected."

Mr Jones said the opportunity had led to him thinking about those who had helped him on his journey and supported him.

"It really means the world," he continued.

"I hope to go in and enjoy the experience, make sure I do the best I can to make sure the athletes who it is all about, it's not about us officials, have the best experience and the right people win."

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