Chris continues to shatter misconceptions

Special Olympics Florida athlete Chris Nikic continues to shatter misconceptions about people with intellectual disabilities.

In 2020, Chris became the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full IRONMAN. Now, he’s the first athlete with Down syndrome to be sponsored by Adidas.  Adidas announced the news in a video featuring Chris and other Special Olympics Florida athletes, including Abigail Adams, Saris Garcia, Adrienne Bunn, Chad VanScoter, and Annamarie Nieves.   You can read more about Chris and watch the Adidas video on Barstool Sports. 

Meanwhile, officials with the Boston Marathon, which Chris will run in April, have announced that he’ll wear bib number 321. The number represents Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. Each year, that bib number will be reserved for a neurodivergent athlete. Chris, who’ll represent Team Florida in the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games, would like other marathons to follow suit.  Watch a news story by CBS News 4 in Boston here.

And, in honor of World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), Special Olympics, Inc. released a new documentary where Chris Nikic shares how he balances training, community, and his personal life. Read more and watch the film.