CORRYTON, Tenn. (WVLT) – Of the 101 athletes in the United States competing in the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games, only three are from East Tennessee.

Of the three Tennesseans competing in Italy, Johnny Kelly is the only one from East Tennessee who will represent his country.

“It’s just cool because it’s my home country and my home state,” Kelly said.

Kelly is no newcomer to participating in the Special Olympics, he has been doing so for nearly a decade, but in 2022 he took home three gold medals and a silver medal in powerlifting at the USA Games in Florida.

The 25-year-old Gibbs High School graduate trains every day at the YMCA in Powell, preparing to compete in snowboarding on the world stage in 2025.

“Running is more cardiovascular because constantly moving on the board, falling, pushing off and getting back up is definitely a lot more strenuous than powerlifting because you lift once and then you’re done,” Kelly said.

Although Tennessee doesn’t get much snow, Kelly finds time to prepare by heading to Ober Gatlinburg, where snowboarding is possible for him. He also said he’s watching videos to maximize his speed on the slopes in an effort to take gold again.

“It’s like all the hard work has paid off and a weight has been lifted off your shoulders,” Kelly said of winning the gold medal in 2022.

Kelly said this trip to Italy will be his first time leaving the country, as he is admittedly a little hesitant about the long journey that awaits him.

He said he was most pleased with the friendships he had made during his years at the Special Olympics and was already looking forward to the next games in March 2025.

Click this link to raise funds for Kelly’s trip to Italy.

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