going for the gold

Marion County’s Special Olympics is making a comeback. › Written and Photographed by Cealia Athanason

Special Olympics Florida has been around for 45 years, and John Robles’ mission is to build awareness and community support. Robles is the new director of Special Olympics in Marion County, and, after only a few months on the job, he’s diving in.

“The ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by o ering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs,” says Robles.

Two athletes, Nikki and KC Corbin, stood near the table that was set up at TD Bank for the Special Olympics’ Meet the Olympians day on June 9. Their necks were decorated with several medals. These two are siblings, and their mother, Denise, is one of the coaches. KC competes in volleyball, cycling, flag football, paddle boarding and basketball. Nikki competes in a full list of competitive sports, too, including golf, paddle boarding, equestrian and basketball. Both of them have been involved in Special Olympics since they were 8 years old. Now, Nikki is 26 and KC is 32.

“Athletes never age out. This is for life,” says Robles, referencing one athlete who was still competing at 78 years old.

Another athlete, Adrienne Bunn, also arrived with medals around her neck, a couple of them gold from the two equestrian competitions she won recently. Adrienne is 11 years old and has been involved in Special Olympics since she was 4. She also competes in swimming and golf, and she attends three di erent practices a week.

“[It’s] exciting,” says Adrienne. “Horses are my favorite.”

This is the ninth year that TD Bank has partnered with Marion County’s Special Olympics, and it’s TD Bank Vice President John Cervellera’s second year with the fundraising campaign. This year, the campaign ran from May 15 to June 23.

“The fundraiser enables employees, customers, friends and family to support the goal of raising more than $1 million for Special Olympics in the states where TD [Bank] operates,” says Cervellera.

Marion County’s Special Olympics runs 14 di erent sports each year, and Robles is thankful for the support they’ve received because, ultimately, it benefits the athletes, who live and breathe Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics unleashes the human spirit through the power and joy of sports, every day—around the world—empowering people with and without intellectual disabilities to play, work and live side by side, creating communities of acceptance for all,” says Cevellera.

Learn more › specialolympicsflorida.org

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For Your Health

The Business Women’s Alliance Women’s HEALTH and FITNESS Expo—an annual event dedicated to educating women and their families about health, fi tness and wellness resources available in Citrus County and surrounding areas— will take place Saturday, September 23 from 9am to 1pm at the National Guard Armory in Crystal River. The events o ers opportunities for pampering and discussions with health and fi tness product and service providers. Expo proceeds are dedicated to furthering the education of students from Citrus, Crystal River and Lecanto high schools and Withlacoochee Technical College. Since 2010, the Business Women’s Alliance has awarded $83,500 in scholarships to Citrus County students.