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After the nearly two-week Special Olympics World Summer Games in Greece, seven members of Team USA from Utah returned home July 6, the majority of them bringing medals home with them.
In Athens, 7,000 Special Olympic athletes competed and brought almost 180 countries together. Despite the financial crisis and protests in Greece, more than 25,000 Greeks took part in the Dignity Revolution, an effort to create a world in which "there is no ‘us' or ‘them.' In the dignity revolution, there is only us. A world where each one of us called by name, beautiful, sacred, able. A world where there a million different abilities but no disabilities," said Timothy Shriver, CEO of the Special Olympics in the opening ceremony.
During their stay, Team USA met with an official Presidential Delegation headed by Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.
Related:
SKorea's Pyeongchang awarded 2018 Winter Olympics
The South Korean city of Pyeongchang has been awarded the 2018 Winter Olympics after failing in two previous attempts."I'm proud to be here and meeting Team USA is the highlight," Dr. Biden said. "We will be rooting for you. You make our country proud."
The athletes from Utah were welcomed at the Salt Lake International Airport by friends, family and fans.
Utah athlete's placement:
Jason Greenhalgh
- 2nd Place- CY Cycling 15K Road Race
- 1st place- CY cycling 10K
Elizabeth Leatham
- 3rd Place- CY Cycling 5k
- 6th Place- CY Cycling 1k
Jeff Jensen
- 5th Place- Bowling Singles
Jennifer Neuman
- 3rd Place- Bowling Singles
Larry Ostler
- 5th Place- 100M Run
- 4th Place- Shot Put
Kelly Shepherdson
- 2nd Place- 100m Freestyle
- 5th Place- 200m Freestyle
Denton Taylor
- 2nd Place- Golf
