As many of you will know and indeed may have experienced, entering an Ironman endurance event and completing it, is bloody hard work for hours, many, many hours (including 2.4 mile Swim, 112 bicycle ride and 26.2mile marathon to finish). Let alone the length of preparation required.
So it is very inspirational in these difficult times to see people demolishing myths/assumptions that people with certain disabilities can’t do or achieve things that others in society can. For someone, who happened to be born with down syndrome, who walked for the first time at 5 years old and has at the age of 21 completed an ironman is awe-inspiring.
The positivity this news story generates is heart warming and you can’t help but smile and for some cry, when you see the video on youtube of Chris Nikic taking part and completing Ironman Florida (https://youtu.be/1zHjPq-FYCI). The support from the spectators is fantastic.
Their 1% Better challenge started with a solitary press-up is where the training began (https://chrisnikic.com/1%25-better-challenge). I think many of us can take something from this achievement and apply it in our own respective circumstances.
Personally, I look forward to the day that if our Oscar finds his sporting niche, he will one day also attend the Special Olympics.
Onwards and Upwards!
Chris Nikic becomes first person with Down’s syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon
