Local athletes to compete in Special Olympics Winter Games
There will be over 3,000 athletes competing in this year’s Winter Games. Two of them will be from the area.
Later this month, two Chesterfield speed skaters will travel to South Korea to join over 3,000 athletes from 112 countries to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Jannai Kennedy, born deaf, was drawn to ice skating after becoming enamored with Disney’s Ice Princess as a child. Years later, she became one of the toughest opponents among Special Olympics Virginia athletes.
“Special Olympics has changed my life,” she said. “I have finally accomplished a wonderful goal. And no matter if I win or lose in Korea, in the end I’ll still be a champion to my family.”
The other local athlete attending the games is Travis Hunter. “Even though I’m autistic, I can do anything I put my mind to,” he said. “With a little practice, of course.”
The athletes will depart for South Korea after a special sendoff at the Holiday Inn in Sandston on January 23rd at 6:30 PM.
The World Winter Games will take place in PyeongChange, South Korea January 29th – February 5th.
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