Manley Meets Special Olympians

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, was honored to meet athletes,

coaches and other delegates who participated in the Team USA Special Olympics 2025 Winter

World Games in Turin, Italy, during the recent session.

The delegation from the Special Olympics was in Springfield for a resolution on the Illinois

House of Representatives floor.

“What a thrill it was to meet these accomplished Olympians and all their coaches who

represented Illinois at the World Special Olympics in Italy,” Manley said. “Meeting the law

enforcement officers who carried the Eternal Flame of Hope was also very meaningful.”

The Special Olympics World Games is the largest international sporting event for athletes with

intellectual disabilities, drawing over 1,500 athletes from around the globe to compete in with

winter sports, including alpine skiing, cross country skiing, dancesport, figure skating, floorball,

snowboarding, snowshoeing, and short track and speed skating.

The Special Olympics USA delegation to Team USA was led by Coach Jime Bluemond of

Geneva. The Team USA athletes included Daniel Johnson of Normal, Mallory Marvin of

Libertyville and Brandon Waller of Palatine. All competed in snowshoeing.

Waller captured the gold medal in the 800 meters and silver medal in the 400 meters. Marvin

earned bronze in the 50 meters, and finished fourth in the 25 meters. Johnson took home silver in

the 400 meters, and placed fourth in the 800 meters.

“What impressive athletes to earn gold, silver and bronze medals on the global stage, making

them among the very best snowshoers in the world,” Manley said.

Dennis Walker, Robbi Peterson and Bill Devine represented the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch

Run for Special Olympics in carrying the Eternal Flame of Hope at the World Games, and served

as global ambassadors for inclusion and enduring partnership between law enforcement and

Special Olympics.

The State of Illinois House of Representatives Resolution No. 302 was offered by Representative

Matt Hanson, D--Montgomery.

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