Athletic Equality For All
Noah Dellas is a World Games athlete who has the drive to win the gold. But his home state of New Jersey is setting a standard for athletic opportunity that will give all athletes the chance to strive to meet his standards.
Not many people can say they wake up to the sound of a blaring alarm at 3 a.m., seven days a week. But then again, not many people have the determination of Noah Dellas.
On July 26, 2015, the Special Olympics World Games hosted the first official triathlon event in Long Beach, California. Its winner was 17-year-old Noah Dellas, who finished the race in one hour and twelve minutes. He was the first out of the water and held a pace faster than seven minutes per mile for the entire run. Leading up to this competition, he was training tirelessly every single day to make that happen.
As a New Jersey native, Noah has had prime training opportunities. His coach, Lisa Rumer, is also the coach to three other World Games triathlon participants: Benjamin Heitmeyer, Amy Noctor and Courtney Dreyfus, who all medaled in their respective divisions as well. They’re no strangers to the competition, too, since it premiered as a demonstration race at the 2014 U.S.A. Games in their home state of New Jersey. In those same Games, the New Jersey athletes took home 305 medals, and 136 of those were gold.
What followed those Games was a huge step for people with intellectual disabilities. On June 19, 2014, using the National Games as a driving force, New Jersey State Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Governor Chris Christie helped pass a law saying that all schools in the state must make an effort to include Unified Sports. New Jersey is setting an example. It’s one of inclusion, support, and acknowledging ability in all. And it’s a message that needs to be spread.
A recent study of National Special Olympics programs says that 67 percent of athletes initially get involved through school-based programs. It also says that when asked why they stopped being a part of Special Olympics, most athletes admit that it was because the program was no longer supported or present at their school or that they couldn’t get enough information. Even more crucial, only 30 percent of those involved say that they did any organized sports before joining a Special Olympics program. By ensuring that schools have Unified Sports, we assure that athletes are getting a chance to be truly included.
Furthermore, the report says that the typical Special Olympics athlete participates for 11 years or more, which is the same average participation length as an athlete without an intellectual disability. Special Olympics athletes are just as committed, determined, and passionate as any other athlete. They are competitive, supportive teammates and they are ready to work for every bit of their success. The only thing that ever holds them back is the opportunity for involvement.
Let’s change that.
Noah Dellas has dreams of being the best triathlete, not just the best triathlete with an intellectual disability. He’s got the will, the resources, and the training to make that happen. And he will certainly be someone to watch as he continues competing.
Stories like Noah’s don’t have to be an exception. They should be the rule. Unified Sports can help make that happen.
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