What an experience!

Hello everyone! My name is Kirk Grogan and I am a Special Olympic athlete and compete on the Coeur d’Alene team, which is located in North Idaho. I had the honor of going to Athens, Greece, with my mentor Brian Swehosky (who is a coach for Special Olympics Idaho), to accept the torch for the Winter World Games – the very torch that inspired me to join Special Olympics. Talk about an experience I will never forget!! During the days leading up to the official ceremony, we were able to ride a ferry on the way to Aegina, an island off the coast of Greece, take a short tour of Athens, and was able to taste a bunch of Greek food, which was good!
The day before we left was the official lighting ceremony, where yours truly was on stage and accepted the lit torch from Chip Fischer, CEO of the Winter World Games. A Greek athlete and I were able to then run through the city, along with numerous police officers, making our way to the US Embassy, where we lit a huge cauldron and had another ceremony.
Even though I was in Greece for just 5 days, it was some of the most memorable days I have had so far in my life and will never forget them. Thank you to all those who are making the 2009 Winter World Games happen and for the opportunity to represent Idaho and America over in Greece.