2023 World Summer Games

Congratulations to Gretchen Winter from Palmer and Bobby Hill from Anchorage!
Way to represent Alaska and the United States!

Congratulations, Gretchen and Bobby!

Congratulations to Gretchen Winter from Palmer and Bobby Hill from Anchorage! Way to represent Alaska and the United States!

Gretchen earned 4th place in the 1500m and helped her team win 6th place in the 4x100m relay for Athletics!

Bobby earned the Gold Medal in the Bench Press and Silver Medals in the Squat, Deadlift and Combination events for Powerlifting!

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and supporters for ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience for these two athletes!

About The Special Olympics World Games Berlin Germany 2023

17-25 June

The Special Olympics World Games are the world’s largest inclusive sports event. Thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities compete together in 26 sports. Nine days of exciting and inspiring competitions, by athletes and for athletes.

From 17 to 25 June 2023, the Special Olympics World Games will take place in Berlin – the first time that Germany will host the Games!

Special Olympics USA is comprised of 133 athletes and Unified partners, 38 coaches and 23 delegation members who support team operations. Athletes will compete in 14 of the 26 sports offered: athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, golf, gymnastics – artistic, gymnastics—rhythmic, kayaking, powerlifting, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball.

To follow Special Olympics USA, visit www.specialolympicsusa.org, and
follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/specialolympicsusa
Twitter: @specialolyUSA and
Instagram: @specialolympicsusa Hash Tag: #Cheer4USA

For More Information

Emily Tymick, Director of Sports Development and Competition

3200 Mountain View Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99501
emily@specialolympicsalaska.org
1-888-499-7625 (toll free in Alaska)
1-907-222-7625 (ext 608)
1-907-222-6200 (fax)

Alaska Athletes Competing

Bobby Hill, Powerlifting

Bobby has been competing in Special Olympics for 35 years. He has participated in powerlifting, Unified floor hockey and Unified golf. Bobby has been to 2 previous World Games and competed in Powerlifting: 2003 Dublin, Ireland and 2007 Shanghai, China. He brought home 2 Gold medals from Dublin and 2 Silver medals from Shanghai!

Bobby has been training hard in preparation for the 2023 World Games Berlin. He weight trains 4 days a week with his coach and walks every day with his dad. He will be competing in the Deadlift, Squat and Bench Press. Go, Bobby!

Gretchen Winter, Track and Field

Gretchen has been participating in Special Olympics for 8 years. She competes in track and field and alpine skiing. Gretchen competed in track and field at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, FL. She earned a Gold medal in the 400m and 800m and a Silver in the 1500m.

For the 2023 World Games Berlin, Gretchen will be competing in the 800m, 1500m and the 4X100m relay. Gretchen’s goal for Berlin is to bring home the Gold! Oh yeah, Gretchen!

Kari & John Ellsworth, Jr.

Special Olympics Alaska provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.