SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls Special Olympian is back home with a silver medal.
Nick Mills recently returned from Turin, Italy, where he competed in alpine skiing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Skiing has been a part of Mills’ life for as long as he can remember, so he was thrilled when he found out he qualified for the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
“I was super excited and just couldn’t hold back the happiness that I got selected to go to the World Games,” Mills said.
Mills’ aunt, Dawn Eeten, was one of Nick’s family members who made the trip to Italy to support him.
“Literally and figuratively, it was very cool,” Eeten said.
While he was there, Mills got to meet new friends. He even came home with pins he received from other athletes.
“Being around other athletes that don’t speak the same languages was really fun because you get to learn their language and vice versa,” Mills said.
He of course had some fun competing as well although he did have to get over some nerves.
“Just taking deep breaths and talking with my coach and my teammates,” Mills said.
But he overcame them and earned a silver medal in slalom.
“I just couldn’t believe it. I started choking up and started crying. It just felt amazing,” Mills said.
“Anyone who knows Nick knows he doesn’t have a loss of words often. He was speechless,” Eeten said.
It’s an experience Nick and his family will cherish.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Mills said.
“That win just represents so much more in his success as a human and the connections he made with the other athletes. It was just remarkable,” Eeten said.
Mills also earned fifth place in giant slalom and seventh in Super G.
