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Ironman athlete with Down syndrome hoping to inspire others

Chris Nikic was in Denver to challenge race directors to create competitive events for “neuro-divergent” athletes

Chris Nikic celebrates with his girlfriend, Adrienne Bunn, after he finished the Ironman World Championships triathlon last October in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. It was his second Ironman. In 2020, he became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman. Nikic also runs marathons. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Chris Nikic celebrates with his girlfriend, Adrienne Bunn, after he finished the Ironman World Championships triathlon last October in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. It was his second Ironman. In 2020, he became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman. Nikic also runs marathons. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13 : Denver Post's John Meyer on Monday, January 13, 2014. (Photo By Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post)
By | jmeyer@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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The first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon begins a speech by introducing himself as someone who was overweight and out of shape five years ago with no job, no girlfriend, "no future" and a life that made him feel excluded, isolated and alone.
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