NEOSHO, Mo.  Gene Ray Diggs, a shotput and hammer-throw hopeful for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, dons his bright orange Home Depot apron every morning with a big smile on his face.

The glow from the red cheeks of the stocky power tool sales associate isn't caused by the warehouse store's wages, which are lower than Diggs could earn on the recreational vehicle assembly line where he used to work.  Home Depot's attraction is that it participates in the U.S. Olympic Committee's Job Opportunities Program, which allows him to earn fulltime pay and benefits while working a flexible 20-hour week that can be structured around his rigorous training schedule.

"It's hard to believe," Diggs said, "but 2008 is only two years away.  I need to train every chance I get."

To maximize his efficiency, Diggs has begun to toss retail items during work hours, a practice the home improvement giant has encouraged.

"We tell customers who get hit by the hand tools Gene Ray throws that he's an Olympic athlete, and most people accept that fact," said T.J. Bryant, manager of the Neosho store.

Ed Wollack, whose 82-year old mother was dazed by a 16 oz. ball peen hammer ($13.95) that Diggs threw a distance of 216 feet, 10 inches, was nonetheless supportive of the program.

"She's gonna be in the hospital for awhile, but it's for a good cause," he said.  "I trust the Olympics people, and if this is what they need to do, well, I guess we'll go along."

Other customers in the store were less enthusiastic.  "I had my eye on one of those compact cordless drills ($179) but he grabbed it and threw it way the hell over in lawn and garden," Lamar Perkins complained.  "He got good distance on it, though."

Copyright 2005, Con Chapman