The Special Olympics World Summer Games will kick off in Athens Greece on June 24. One of Michiana's very own athletes will be there, representing Team USA.
One day, the phone rang. It was the call Katie Williams had been waiting for for the longest time.
"I was lost for words,” Katie says. “I like screamed really loud. Probably the biggest howl you'll ever hear."
Katie, a swimmer, had been chosen to represent Team USA at the Special Olympics in Athens, Greece later this month.
"Swimming in the same pool that Michael Phelps touched in '04,” Katie says, “and seeing where he got his first gold medal."
"(She’s a) very focused, very dedicated individual,” says her coach, Nathan Piwowar. “Her drive and desire is what got her on to the Special Olympics team for Team USA."
Katie has been working very hard to reach this moment. She's in the pool three or four nights a week.
"She trains over at Notre Dame,” Piwowar explains, “And then she'll come to our practices right after she leaves the pool there, and she'll hop in and do a second practice with us."
That hard work continued out of the pool. Special Olympians have to raise their own money for the trip to Greece, and Katie raised nearly $14,000. More than enough, which means a big boost to her local club.
"Just a phenomenal individual," Piwowar says.
"Just a chance to represent my country,” Katie says, “and hopefully bring something back out of it."
Not just a medal, but also all the memories.
