NASHVILLE, TN (August 20, 2024)—Special Olympics USA has named three athletes and one coach from Tennessee to its 160-member delegation to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, which will be held March 8-16, 2025.
Madisun Rosier of Spring Hill will compete in short-track speedskating. Rosier has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2014, when she first began playing Unified basketball. In addition to her Special Olympics sports training, Madisun is an avid ice hockey player who competes in the women’s hockey league at Ford Ice Center in Bellevue.
Chris Furches of Jonesborough will represent Special Olympics USA in snowboarding. Furches has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2011 and has competed in athletics, bowling and snowboarding. In addition to his Special Olympics accomplishments, Furches is a talented ATV Motocross athlete. He has 14 Class Championships in ATV Motocross racing and became the first person with autism to win an ATVMX National Championship in 2015.
Johnny Kelly of Corryton will compete in snowboarding. Kelly has been a Special Olympics athlete for a decade and considers flag football, powerlifting, softball, snowboarding and volleyball his favorite sports. He previously represented Tennessee at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida, where he won four medals in powerlifting.
Miles Duncan of Columbia joins Special Olympics USA as a snowboarding coach. Duncan has been involved in Special Olympics for over 15 years as a Unified partner and coach. Duncan has attended four Special Olympics USA Games as a coach and Unified partner in bocce. In addition to coaching Special Olympics, Duncan volunteers for CASA, an organization that advocates for foster children. He also enjoys spending time with his family and flipping houses in his spare time.
Special Olympics USA is comprised of 101 athletes and Unified partners, 32 coaches, and 27 delegation members who support team operations. Athletes will compete in the eight sports offered: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, DanceSport, figure skating, floorball, snowboarding and speedskating.
Every two years, the world transcends the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture and religion to come together for the Special Olympics World Games. Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, this event is the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, which promotes inclusion, equality and acceptance around the world.
Special Olympics USA is the national delegation that represents the United States at the Special Olympics World Games. Delegation members compete in an array of the 30-plus official Special Olympics sports, in individual and team formats.
"Attending World Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these athletes and Unified partners and is the culmination of years of hard work, determination and commitment,” said Brock Banos, Head of Delegation for Special Olympics USA. “In addition to competing on the world stage, they will experience new cultures, creating countless memories and lifelong friendships. I encourage every American to cheer for Special Olympics USA, celebrate the triumphs of the athletes and Unified partners, and take pride in knowing that each member of our delegation will represent our country with excellence and honor. Go, Special Olympics USA!”
The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 will be held from March 8 to 16, 2025, in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. Over 1,500 athletes from 103 countries will compete in eight winter sports, showcasing the determination of people with intellectual disabilities and the power of inclusion through sport.
ESPN’s television networks and digital platforms will bring extensive coverage to sports fans and supporters of the Special Olympics movement worldwide. As Special Olympics' official global broadcast partner, ESPN will deliver live and recorded highlights on its family of TV channels, the ESPN+ streaming service, ESPN3, ESPN.com , and the ESPN App.
To learn more about the Special Olympics USA delegation, please visit www.specialolympicsusa.org for a full delegation listing, photos and bios.
To follow Special Olympics USA, visit www.specialolympicsusa.org, join the email list, and follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/specialolympicsusa,Twitter: @specialolyUSA and Instagram: @specialolympicsusa. Hashtag: #Cheer4USA
