Athlete Chad Conner, 20, of Virginia Beach received three Medals at the 2005 Winter World Games in Nagano, Japan. Conner’s won a Gold Medal in the 777, Silver Medal in the 500M and a Bronze medal in the 333M Speed Skating competition. Conner’s is now a second time Winter World Games medal winner. He also competed at the 2001 World Games in Anchorage, Alaska winning a gold and silver medal.
Lily Kuhn, a fourth grader from New Kent County, received a Gold Medal in Alpine Novice Downhill Skiing and Silver Medals in the Alpine Novice Giant Slalom and Alpine Novice Slalom at the 2005 Winter World Games in Nagano, Japan. Kuhn is very excited to be competing in her first World Games event. "The faster I go, the better it gets. I feel like I can fly," says Kuhn
Also representing Virginia was Special Olympics Virginia volunteer Michael Marretti and Kurt Krumreich. Marretti, of Chesterfield, was one of 12 Alpine Ski coaches. While Krumreich, of Virginia Beach, was a Speed Skating coach for his fourth World Games.
Team USA consists of nearly 200 athletes and 89 coaches/management team members from all over the United States.
From 26 February to 5 March, 2,500 Special Olympics athletes from 80 countries showcased their abilities as they compete in seven Olympic-type sports in the very same venues used for the 1998 Olympics and Paralympics. Tens of thousands of spectators witnessed this jubilant occasion including 650 coaches 3,000 family members, 9,000 volunteers, celebrities, government leaders and members of the business community. This celebration of athletic skill was the first of its kind featuring people with intellectual disabilities held in Asia.
The World Games are celebrating the spirit, courage and determination of athletes with mental disabilities from all corners of the globe. This is the 8th Special Olympics World Winter Games, uniting over 80 countries for competition. For more information on Team USA, visit www.specialolympicsteamusa.org or find additional World Games information on www.2005sowwg.com/english/e_top/e_top.html.
For more information on your local athlete contact Heidi Walters at 804-346-5544 or visit www.specialolympicsva.org
About SOVA