Special Olympian Chris Nikic is no stranger to hard work, and he has a bold ambition. The 20-year-old is training to become the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon.
Chris, from Maitland, Florida, had open-heart surgery as a baby, and as a toddler he used a walker to take his first steps. He dealt with bullying and judgment from others, but he claims that his resolve has helped him to be ready for Ironman.
The Ironman competition comprises a 2.4-mile swim, a 26.2-mile run, and a 112-mile bike ride. Chris’s supportive father, Nik Nikic, is convinced that his son can do anything he sets his mind to.
Ahead of Ironman, Chris began training four hours a day, six days a week. The May 2020 leg of the competition was postponed owing to the COVID pandemic; however, undeterred, Chris embraced lake swimming and outdoor workouts in order to comply with social distancing restrictions.
Chris, who has been competing in the Special Olympics since the age of 9, sees his life as an athlete as a way to forge positive relationships. “I love the attention because I love people,” Chris explained. “It allows me to be like everybody else and connect.”
“When you have professional athletes who acquire fame, they put up walls to other people,” said Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver, praising Chris’s mentality. “With our Olympians, they break down walls.”
“When someone like Chris is able to step in front of that start line and sort of, in effect, say to the world, ‘I bet you didn’t see this coming,’ ... that sends a message,” Shriver continued. “Nowadays, we’re desperately in need of people who will shake us out of stereotypes.”
Chris’s father admits that it took him years to relinquish his protective instincts toward his capable son. “I wanted to protect him,” Nik explained. “But two years ago, I started treating him as gifted. My feeling is that God put Chris on this earth to help others.”
Chris works hard to help others. The young athlete’s coach, Dan Grieb, explained that the Ironman is “not forgiving,” which is why Chris’s training is as tough as anybody else’s.
“You have to swim the full distance, run the full marathon, and bike the full time,” he said. “It doesn’t change for anyone.”
Nik explained one of the challenges with having Down syndrome is being more prone to illness and more often. Over the last year, however, they noticed that he got sick less and recovered more quickly.
“My dad told me, ‘Don’t ever doubt your dreams, Chris,’” the athlete continued. “He told me God gave me gifts. I don’t ever doubt my dreams now.”
