{"id":234301,"date":"2020-11-09T07:39:48","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T13:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=234301"},"modified":"2020-11-08T20:15:11","modified_gmt":"2020-11-09T02:15:11","slug":"inspiring-person-down-syndrome-ironman-triathlon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/inspiring-person-down-syndrome-ironman-triathlon\/","title":{"rendered":"INSPIRING: First person with Down syndrome completes Ironman triathlon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Saturday, Chris Nikic made history, becoming the first person with Down syndrome to ever complete an Ironman triathlon. The athletic event is considered one of the most grueling in the world, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run \u2014 all which must be completed within a 17-hour time frame. The incredible feat proved doctors wrong about what people with Down syndrome can do, and gave inspiration to people around the world.<\/p>\n

According to the Orlando Sentinel<\/a>, doctors said Nikic would never be able to do anything as strenuous as an Ironman. \u201cThe doctors and experts said I couldn\u2019t do anything,\u201d Nikic said. \u201cSo I said, \u2018Doctor! Experts! You need to stop doing this to me. You\u2019re wrong!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Nikic had been competing in triathlons since he was 16, but briefly had to stop<\/a> for two years after a series of ear surgeries seriously impacted his health, completely unable to swim a lap in the pool or ride a bike. But he fought his way back. \u201cHe\u2019s gone from barely being able to do anything, to running an Olympic-distance triathlon,” his dad, Nik Nikic, told Team USA earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Alongside Dan Grieb, a realtor who also works as Nikic’s trainer and coach, Nikic trained for three hours each day in spinning, yoga, group martial arts, Zumba, and basketball, as well as keeping up his triathlon training. \u201cI don\u2019t use my condition as an excuse,\u201d Nikic said. \u201cInstead, I work harder\u2026 My dad told me, \u2018Don\u2019t ever doubt your dreams, Chris.\u2019 He told me God gave me gifts. I don\u2019t ever doubt my dreams now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Nikic stops for a hug during the race. (Facebook)<\/p><\/div>\n

Nikic also competes in the Special Olympics, and Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, said he’s different from typical athletes. \u201cMost people want attention to be better than other people,\u201d Shriver told USA Today. \u201cChris wants attention to connect to other people. When you have professional athletes who acquire fame, they put up walls to other people. With our Olympians, they break down walls.\u201d<\/p>\n

This attitude was on display throughout the Ironman triathlon, as Grieb and Nikic stopped for motivating hugs, both with each other and with spectators cheering them on throughout the race. Grieb specifically had to make sure Nikic was ready not just for the physical difficulties of the race, but for how hard it would be mentally to finish. \u201cObviously, the Ironman is not forgiving and Chris gets no breaks,\u201d Grieb told USA Today<\/a> earlier this year. \u201cYou have to swim the full distance, run the full marathon, and bike the full time. It doesn\u2019t change for anyone. Chris is going to be faced with the wall \u2013 where it will take a level of grit and mental toughness to get through. He\u2019s displayed through all his practices he has what it takes because he\u2019s been mentally prepared through repetition.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0Missouri woman is first U.S. model with Down syndrome representing skincare line<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

So Grieb made sure to keep him motivated, during breaks reminding Nikic of everyone he was running the race for. In the final two miles of the triathlon, Ironman went live on Facebook<\/a>, with over 26,000 people watching Nikic cross the finish line, with Grieb encouraging Nikic to keep going.<\/p>\n