Here’s the thing to know about Special Olympics athletes: They’re adrenaline junkies. And for some, the Games is the perfect outlet for that.
“It feels nerve-wracking but it feels awesome – the adrenaline rush!” said Rebekah Jensen, who competes in track and field, ice skating and golf.
Even Molly Anderson, a downhill skier describing a time when she was staring down a black diamond with her coach, came around to the rush.
“I’m not that much for the adrenaline, but it was actually quite exhilarating and quite fun,” she said.
Fellow skier Ryan Fielding was more unabashed when asked what his favorite part of the sport was: “The speed and – probably just the speed,” he said with a laugh.
KUOW partnered with Special Olympics USA Games Seattle 2018, Microsoft and Brooks Running to host an “Ask a Special Olympics Athlete” event on June 9. Seattle hosts the Games starting July 1.
Sporting events will take place at different venues across the city, and fans are welcome – particularly by some of the athletes.
“Swimming is one of the few sports where louder and crazier the better – especially since we thrive under pressure. That’s what we live for,” said athlete Marcia Barrett.
Shaneey Skelton echoed that idea, “I won’t be nervous when people come and cheer me on.”
Below we’ve included excerpts from our interviews with the athletes.
To learn more about KUOW’s Ask A series go to ask.kuow.org. For more information about the Games go to Special Olympics USA Games Seattle 2018.
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Devon Adelman, stand-up paddleboard", "style": "wide"}]][asset-audio[{"description": "Devon Adelman talks about the moment she found out she had qualified for the Games.", "fid": "145609", "uri": "npraudio://201806/devon_adelman.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Marcia Barrett, swimming, alpine skiing, softball, bowling", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Marcia Barrett at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145611", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Marcia-Barrett--Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Marcia Barrett talks about the great life and sports advice her father gave her.", "fid": "145618", "uri": "npraudio://201806/marcia_barrett.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Ryan Fielding, downhill skiing", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Ryan Fielding at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145612", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Ryan-Fielding-Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Ryan Fielding talks about being inspired by his older brother to take up skiing.", "fid": "145620", "uri": "npraudio://201806/ryan_fielding_0.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Rebekah Jensen, track and field, ice skating, golf", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Rebekah Jensen at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145613", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Rebekah-Jensen-Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Rebekah Jensen talks about what she wants the fans to see when they watch the Special Olympics.", "fid": "145621", "uri": "public://201806/rebekah_jensen.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Shaneey Skelton, track, basketball, softball, bowling", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Shaneey Skelton at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145614", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Shaneey-Skelton-Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Shaneey Skelton talks about why this year's game is cause for even more celebration for her.", "fid": "145622", "uri": "public://201806/shaneey_skelton.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Al Suarez, softball", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Al Suarez at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145615", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Al-Suarez-Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Al Suarez talks about he got into the Special Olympics after experiencing a post-high school lull in his life.", "fid": "145623", "uri": "public://201806/al_suarez.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Virginia Wade, gymnastics", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Virginia Wade at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145616", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Virginia-Wade-2-Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Virginia Wade talks about getting involved in gymnastics.", "fid": "145624", "uri": "public://201806/virginia_wade.mp3"}]]
[asset-pullquotes[{"quote": "Nathan Zeidman, bocce, golf, soccer, bowling, basketball", "style": "wide"}]]
[asset-images[{"caption": "Nathan Zeidman at KUOW's Ask a Special Olympics Athlete event on June, 9, 2018.", "fid": "145617", "style": "placed_wide", "uri": "public://201806/Nathan-Zeidman-Gil-resize.jpg", "attribution": "Credit KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter"}]]
[asset-audio[{"description": "Nathan Zeidman talks about how his family got him involved in sports.", "fid": "145625", "uri": "public://201806/nathan_zeidman.mp3"}]]
