Special Olympics athlete Chris Nikic shares his journey to making history
By Mark Powell
Chris Nikic and his father Nik are redefining expectations in the Special Olympics.
Chris Nikic has a simple slogan, but it’s one that’s helped the inspirational athlete reach incredible heights: Just get one-percent better every day. Chris isn’t just here as a story, however. He made history as the first down syndrome athlete to complete a full ironman back in November.
While most of us struggle to complete a full week of workouts, Nikic has been out-performing and one-upping his expectations on a week-to-week basis.
“I decided, one day, this kid can do anything that’s possible,” Nikic told FanSided’s Mark Carman. “That’s why…I decided I wouldn’t be called average, (I’d) go out and stay active and exercise.”
Nikic credits Special Olympics with giving him the tools to be successful, as well as his father Nik for pushing his expectations of himself. Every successful athlete has a support system, and for Chris it’s no doubt been his father, as well as coach Dan Grieb. Both have helped push Chris to be the athlete he is today.
“We applied our one-percent better concept every day…the interesting thing is that lasted 2.5 years,” Nik Nikic said. “Chris went from couch to ironman in (2.5 years).”
Nikic’s impact goes beyond competitions
As successful as Chris has been in competitions, his role in normalizing down syndrome upbringings is undeniable. For parents of a child with special needs of their own, Chris serves as a glimmer of hope; perhaps the sign of a new normal.
“For 18 years, we had accepted what the community and experts told us was ‘normal’,” Nik Nikic said. “I created an environment around Chris that said anything was possible, and so we started pursuing dreams that we previously thought were impossible.”
“What I would tell the other parents is stop accepting the view that the world tells you is possible for your children…they really are gifted,” Nikic continued.
For Chris, it hasn’t always been easy. Just a year before he made history, Chris finished last in a Special Olympics triathlon, per his father. Patience, support and training has made him the athlete he is today. And he’s only getting started.
In January 2022, Special Olympics will be celebrating a return to international competition at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia with 2,000 athletes from over 100 nations competing. This Friday, Special Olympics will reveal the logo of the Kazan 2022 World Games.
Learn more and find out how you can get involved at SpecialOlympics.org.