Special Olympics Feature
The Ironman Get to know hometown hero Chris Nikic and learn how he prepares to compete at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games!
By Alexis George
T
he Special Olympics USA Games unites thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and fans from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Hosted in Orlando from June 5-12, the Games “will promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport while highlighting Special Olympics’ work in education, health, and community-building.”
There are 19 Olympic-type team and individual sports, and 23-yearold hometown hero Chris Nikic is competing. When Chris first became involved with the Special Olympics it was with the intention of having fun and being a part of something greater than himself. “When I was nine, I used to play golf and basketball for guys and I wanted to compete in the Special Olympics and the whole world needed to know that I can do the Ironman,” Chris says. So, the commitment began. Chris started training so he could overcome physical obstacles with the goal of competing in triath-
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Central Florida Lifestyle | June 2022
lons. And in 2019, that dream turned into a reality when Chris completed his first triathlon. In January 2020, he went on to complete an Olympic distance triathlon and in May 2020 he completed a 70.3 Half Ironman. Then on November 7, 2020, at the age of 21, Chris made history as he became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete a full-distance IRONMAN triathlon with a 16.46.09 finish line crossing time. He recalls the feelings running through him after accomplishing his goal.
Marquis Johnson, a friend of Chris, who helps with his training and business management says it was an inspiration seeing Chris cross the finish line. “It wasn’t a shocker because I’ve been around him and I know what he’s capable of, but it was more about seeing that he did it, “Johnson says. “The whole world was stopping but he kept going and that’s the biggest inspiration I got from it, is that no matter what’s going on just keep going,” Johnson says. For all his hard work, Chris was awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance as part of the 2021 ESPY Awards.
“I heard the famous words: ‘you’re an ironman’. I felt nice after parents telling me I’m a hero to kids,” Chris says.
In his day-to-day life, Chris is known for following his mission to honor God by being the best version of himself so that he can be an example to others. This is accomplished as he lives by the motto “1-percent better every day”. The motto first started when Nik Nikic, Chris’ father, and Managing Partner of Sales Optimizer LLC,
