Triathlete Competes in IRONMAN World Championship
Special Olympics Florida triathlete Chris Nikic has made history. Again.
Early today, Chris became the first person with Down syndrome to complete the IRONMAN® World Championship in Hawaii, with a time of 16 hours and 31 minutes.
The IRONMAN® World Championship is one of the most grueling races on the planet – requiring participants to complete a 2.4-mile open-water swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. Chris proved that, with persistence and proper training, people with intellectual disabilities are up to any challenge.
Chris, who was introduced to triathlon in 2018 through Special Olympics Florida, burst onto the world stage in 2020 when he became the first person with Down syndrome ever to complete a full IRONMAN®. This summer, he won two gold medals at the Special Olympics USA Games.
It was truly a remarkable week for this remarkable athlete. Chris’s record-setting performance came on his 23rd birthday – and during Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Congratulations, Chris!