ROANOKE, Va. – This is a big week for several athletes from Southwest Virginia, as they represent the Commonwealth in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.
The competition for the games started on Monday. Athletes are participating in nearly 20 sports.
The event brings together more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean.
Of the 51 Virginia athletes competing this week, more than a dozen are from Southwest Virginia.
10 News spoke with Allison Van Doren and Matt Cross of Roanoke who both won bronze in bocce. They shared a message of encouragement after their wins.
“Never give up on what you really want to do because in the end it will pay off,” Van Doren said.
“Dream big! Dream big! You gotta dream big,” Cross said.
The Special Olympics USA Games continue through Sunday.