Alexandrea Rutledge has been working out "a lot" ahead of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. She's been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 12 years, and this will be her first international competition.
She's a multisport athlete who also competes in athletics, basketball, bowling and volleyball. But this time, Alexandrea is focusing on her cross-country skiing skills so she can do her best at the World Winter Games. So far, training has been going very well. Says Alexandrea, "I can ski really, really fast!" The 20-year-old is hoping her skills can earn her a medal in the upcoming competition.
Alexandrea is also excited about the big trip to Europe. "It's an honor," she says. "I am proud to go to Italy!"
Alexandrea has been a student at Carman-Ainsworth High School, part of the Genesee Intermediate School District’s Project CHOICE, an alternative classroom setting for students identified as Moderately Cognitively Impaired. At school, students practice vocational skills to prepare for integration in community environments. When she's not in school, Alexandrea practices with one of her coaches, working to improve her endurance skills.
She's getting ready to represent her home state of Michigan and the USA to the best of her ability. Alexandrea, who admits to being a bit shy, has been making new friends through Special Olympics. She hopes everyone does well at the Games in Turin. As she puts it: "Good luck to my other athletes!"
