CHESTERFIELD, Va. – This weekend, a Chesterfield boy will be one of more than 1500 athletes from across Virginia participating in the 2016 Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games.
Five-year-old, Ryan, has Down Syndrome and attends A.M. Davis Elementary in Chesterfield.
His mother, Kerensa Sheehan, said he'll be participating in a special event for athletes not yet old enough to compete in the official games.
Ryan
The events include the 25 meter dash, the standing long jump, and an overhand tennis ball throw.
This won’t be Ryan’s first time at the Olympics, as he also took part in events last June.
Sheehan said the games gives Ryan a feeling of belonging.
“He absolutely loved it,” she said. “He started running and he realized the crowd was cheering for him and his hands just went up and the smile on his face was just phenomenal."
She said Ryan has been practicing all week at school and is now ready to take on all the challenges the Olympics have to offer.
