Chris Nikic, center, is helped into the water by his guide Dan Grieb, right, in the swimming portion of the Florida Ironman triathlon on Nov. 7, 2020, in Panama City Beach. Nikic became the first person with Down syndrome to finish a grueling Ironman triathlon.
Credit: © Bachman/Getty Images for IRONMAN

This past November, 21-year-old Chris Nikic made history, when he became the first person with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon. Down syndrome is a condition present at birth characterized in part by intellectual disabilities and other difficulties. In just under 17 hours, Nikic completed the grueling competition, which consists of a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) open-water swim, 112-mile (180-kilometer) bike ride, and 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) run. Nikic is an inspiration to athletes everywhere and to anyone who faces special challenges.

The Ironman is far from the first challenge Nikic has overcome. When he was just 5 months old, he had open-heart surgery. Because of weakness and poor balance, he could not walk until he was 4. It took him months to learn how to run and even longer to learn how to tie his shoes. But, Nikic overcame his difficulties to excel at athletics. In his teens, he began competing in such sports as swimming and basketball in the Special Olympics.

In October 2019, Nikic decided he wanted to train for an Ironman triathlon. He joined a local endurance group and enlisted a coach named Dan Grieb. (Grieb would later participate in the Ironman alongside Nikic as a guide.) In preparation for the competition, Nikic and Grieb did 20-mile (32-kilometer) runs and 100-mile (161-kilometer) bike rides.

On the day of the race, Nikic and Grieb finished the swim in just under 2 hours. The bike ride proved challenging. After getting off his bike to get a drink of water, Nikic realized he was surrounded by fire ants. The ants bit Nikic, causing his legs to swell. A few minutes later, he crashed his bike. Nearly halfway through his run, Nikic complained of pain. But, hugs and supportive words from his family spurred him on. Nikic proclaimed, “My dreams are going to win.” Sixteen miles (26 kilometers) later, his dreams did win—Nikic crossed the finish line to complete the exhausting, day-long race.