Brandy Goodson is back home after a successful showing at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, winning a silver medal in the 200m run, placing 6th in the 100m and 6th in the 4x100m relay race.
Before taking off to Berlin for the competition, Special Olympics Nevada, along with Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and Earl Wooster High School, hosted a special send-off event for Goodson. The event began at Wooster High School with a pep rally led by Wooster student leadership featuring the school’s cheerleaders before Goodson was escorted to the Reno-Tahoe Airport by police escort.
Goodson has participated in Special Olympics for 15 years in athletics, bocce and bowling. Through Special Olympics, Goodson has learned the importance of advocacy as an athlete and is a certified Global Messenger. One of her accomplishments includes competing in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey.
Special Olympics USA is the national delegation that represents the United States at the Special Olympics World Games and Special Olympics World Winter Games. Delegation members compete in an array of the 30-plus official Special Olympics sports, in individual and team formats.
About Special Olympics: Special Olympics Nevada works to create inclusive opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities through health, education, leadership development and sports. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization offers free year-round training and competition programs for 2,653 athletes who compete in more than 14 competitions in 7 sports annually within the Community Sports Program. The Unified Champion Schools Program encourages leadership development and the growth of Unified Sports®, bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to play as teammates. In 2022, Special Olympics Nevada launched a new program, Mindset Matters, which provides mental health and stress management techniques to students in Nevada schools. In a typical year, Special Olympics Nevada impacts more than 17,820 students by promoting inclusion on school campuses. Special Olympics Nevada is also committed to improving the overall health and well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities through Healthy Athletes events, offering screenings and services free of charge. Special Olympics Nevada relies on the support of 759 volunteers and funding from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. More information may be found by visiting www.sonv.org and following on Facebook, Instagram (@specialolympicsnv), Twitter (@SONevada) and LinkedIn.
