Florida man with Down Syndrome competes in Ironman triathlon
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. โ A 21-year-old Florida man could make history as the first person with Down Syndrome to compete in a grueling Ironman Florida triathlon this weekend, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in a single day. Chris Nikic signed up for a new triathlon program with the Special Olympics Florida in 2018. Nikik eagerly wrote โChris world champ.โHis father Nik Nikic said that led to a talk about doing triathlons and, eventually, an Ironman. "The greatest gift that Chris has gotten in all this is the gift of belonging.โChris Nikic, an IRONMAN Champion. ๐๐ช #onepercentbetter #anythingispossible Posted by IRONMAN on Monday, November 9, 2020Some love for Chris this morning from ESPN SportsCenter!
Down Syndrome challenges community with 21-Hour Blitz
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville is challenging the community to help it raise money Monday during what it is calling the 21-Hour Blitz. So the significance of 21 is much greater for those with down syndrome," said Jeff Leach, board president of the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville. Weโre really trying to put an effort into fundraising with the Buddy Walk and the Blitz is one of the ways we can do that," Leach said. All money raised Monday will go toward the groupโs $250,000 fundraising goal for next monthโs Buddy Walk. DONATE OR SIGN UP: dsaj.donordrive.comLeach said this yearโs Buddy Walk will be reimagined because of the pandemic.