By Taylor J. Hale 

MMC Staff Writer

CENTRAL WISCONSIN – Special Olympics athletes had a chance to show their snowshoeing and skiing prowess at the 2020 Badger State Winter Games Feb. 8.

For over 31 years, hundreds of winter-sports participants gather in Wausau to participate in snowshoe racing, downhill. and cross country skiing, and over 20 other events.

The two-day games were consolidated into a single day due to forecasted winter storms on Feb. 9.

One young athlete competing in the games was Sam Swartwout. The 11-year-old from Woodside Elementary in Wisconsin Rapids took home a gold medal this year in the snowshoe race. The young athlete took home two top-three placements at last year’s games, too.

“It feels awesome,” Swartwout explained just moments after receiving his gold medal. “I want to come back next year.”

The Winter Games run from Jan. through April and offer Special Olympics athletes of all ages a chance to hone their skills and compete with their peers.  New to this year’s games is team handball and broomball. This year also featured an opening ceremony with a snowmobile torch run.

For more on the Badger State Winter Games, visit https://www.visitwausau.com/winter-games.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at thale@mmclocal.com with Wisconsin Rapids area news and information.