James Parker: Mormon Athlete

James D. Parker is a retired track and field athlete. He competed in the hammer throw event at the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece. He did not advance to the final and placed twenty-first. He won a silver medal in hammer throw at the 2003 Pan American Games held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the 2005 World Championships held in Helsinki, Finland, he placed twentieth. He is a three-time USA Outdoor champion, a 2004 USA Indoor WT champion, a 2006 USA Outdoor runner-up, and a nine-time NCAA All-American. He placed seventh at the 2008 Olympic Trials.

Parker was born on December 3, 1975, in Biloxi, Mississippi. He graduated from Utah State University and is a chiropractic physician and retired first lieutenant in the US Air Force. He has worked with US track and field teams as a medical provider.

He is the father of six children and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a full-time mission to Brazil.