Special Olympics athletes compete in winter games

Austin, Texas – Special Olympics athletes from across Texas brought some serious gear home today from the Austin Winter Games.

Hundreds of athletes spent Saturday demonstrating the skills they have been working on for months.

“We’ve worked really hard for this competition,” said Dan Phillips, who has been a Special Olympics athlete for many years, training with his teammates on the weekends and preparing for big competition days like today.

“I like to show all the viewers what my teammates and I achieve and what we do,” he said.

Phillips is involved in athletics, swimming and powerlifting. “What I love about these sports is that they help me get faster and stronger,” he said.

He masters these sports, but also learns life lessons.

“I learn, just like in sports, the true meaning of sportsmanship, how to train, learn, have fun, play a good game, and that’s okay, even if we don’t get it right the first time, it’s fun, that we all work together and that we cheer each other on,” he said.

Jose Anderson, program director for Special Olympics San Antonio, says that’s exactly what it’s all about.

“What inspires me is to see athletes smile, to see parents cheering for their athletes, because some of these parents may never have heard their child called by name at a sporting event like this,” said He.

Special Olympics provides an inclusive culture of sport for people with and without intellectual disabilities.

“We want to give our athletes the same opportunities that you and I had as kids, but even more so we want to make sure they get the full experience, really enjoy themselves and can showcase their skills,” Anderson said.

Some broke personal records and all received medals.

Athletes will soon switch to summer sports, and summer sports competitions will take place in May.