Ackert, Case Welcome Special Olympics World Games Qualifiers

Hartford – State Representatives Tim Ackert (R-8) and Jay Case (R-63) welcomed four accomplished athletes to the Capitol on Thursday morning who have qualified to compete in the Special Olympics World Games 2017 in Austria.

State Representatives Tim Ackert and Claire Janowski with Special Olympic Athlete Stacey Shorts

“I am proud that these four talented athletes will be representing Connecticut and the United States at the Special Olympic Games,” said Rep. Ackert. “I hope the athletes have fun and enjoy this great experience. We added four more Connecticut residents to the list of people we can call heroes today.”

“These athletes have worked extremely hard on their individual sport in order to qualify for World Games,” explained Rep. Case. “I am proud to have welcomed them to the Capitol to recognize their achievement. I wish them the best of luck in Austria, and after meeting the athletes I am confident they will be courageous in their efforts.”

The athletes recognizing included Stacey Shorts, snow shoeing, Natasha De Elye Cole, cross country skiing, Rebecca Lamoin, alpine skiing, and Scott Grupe, alpine skiing. Each was presented with a legislative citation as well as a State of Connecticut pin to trade with other athletes who are competing at the international competition.

The first Special Olympics International Summer Games took place back in 1968, featuring athletes from only two countries. Today Special Olympics reaches 4.2 million athletes nationwide in roughly 170 different countries throughout the world.

The athletes from Connecticut will be training hard until the World Games, which are scheduled to take place in March of 2017.

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