Chris Nikic, Civic Leader
Chris Nikic grew up with people telling him what he couldn’t do.
Kids with Down syndrome hear that a lot. Well-meaning people talk about setting realistic goals. Parents are counseled to temper expectations.
It’s understandable advice, especially when the child in question had heart surgery at 5 months old and needed a walker at age 3. As he grew up, Chris politely listened to that advice … and chose to ignore it.
Instead, with the support of his parents and Special Olympics Florida, Chris, who lives outside Orlando, set his own course. He worked, and trained, and dedicated himself to shattering the stereotypes people have about people with Down syndrome.
He learned to ride a bike. He swam until his muscles ached. He ran, and ran, and ran some more. Each time out, he pushed himself to be just 1 percent better – 1 percent faster or stronger.
In November 2020, all that work paid off. Chris made history, becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full IRONMAN race. That’s a 2.4-mile open-water swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon.
Chris finished in 16:46:09, overcoming exhaustion, a bike crash that gave him a bloody knee, and an army of ants that attacked during a water break.
His achievement became international news and made Chris, now 21, a Guinness World Record holder.
He became an inspiration for people around the world, and his story was featured on ESPN, network television, The New York Times and publications in France, Italy, Germany, and Croatia, to name just a few.
Chris, who is already training for his next challenge, is now a sought-after motivational speaker delivering a powerful – and much needed – message: People with intellectual disabilities can accomplish amazing things – if they’re only given the opportunity.
Kids with Down syndrome hear that a lot. Well-meaning people talk about setting realistic goals. Parents are counseled to temper expectations.
It’s understandable advice, especially when the child in question had heart surgery at 5 months old and needed a walker at age 3. As he grew up, Chris politely listened to that advice … and chose to ignore it.
Instead, with the support of his parents and Special Olympics Florida, Chris, who lives outside Orlando, set his own course. He worked, and trained, and dedicated himself to shattering the stereotypes people have about people with Down syndrome.
He learned to ride a bike. He swam until his muscles ached. He ran, and ran, and ran some more. Each time out, he pushed himself to be just 1 percent better – 1 percent faster or stronger.
In November 2020, all that work paid off. Chris made history, becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full IRONMAN race. That’s a 2.4-mile open-water swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon.
Chris finished in 16:46:09, overcoming exhaustion, a bike crash that gave him a bloody knee, and an army of ants that attacked during a water break.
His achievement became international news and made Chris, now 21, a Guinness World Record holder.
He became an inspiration for people around the world, and his story was featured on ESPN, network television, The New York Times and publications in France, Italy, Germany, and Croatia, to name just a few.
Chris, who is already training for his next challenge, is now a sought-after motivational speaker delivering a powerful – and much needed – message: People with intellectual disabilities can accomplish amazing things – if they’re only given the opportunity.