‘Hard work, passion, perseverance’: Suburban athletes medal at Special Olympics Winter Games
Libertyville resident Mallory Marvin had a reminder for her dad upon arrival at O'Hare International Airport last month after competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin, Italy.
“You know, Dad, I've got track practice at 4 o'clock,” Donn Marvin recalled his daughter telling him.
He suggested it would be OK for her to skip a session now and then, but after missing the previous two weeks, she wanted to get back at it, he said. Four hours later, she was in Gurnee working out with her relay team in preparation for the Special Olympics track and field regionals in May.
Mallory joined Brandon Waller of Palatine and Daniel Johnson of Normal as the Illinois delegation to the Winter Games held March 8-15, with more than 1,500 athletes from 103 countries taking part.
All three earned medals in the snowshoeing competition held in Sestriere in the Italian Alps.
Marvin, 28, was the fastest short-track snowshoe sprinter on the USA team and earned a bronze medal in the 50 meters and fourth place in the 25 meters, Donn Marvin said.
As she competed in the top division for both races, she was the third- and fourth-fastest Olympian in the world for those competitions, he added.
“This was an amazing overall performance by Mallory,” he said.
Mallory has been involved with Special Olympics for 14 years, competing in athletics, basketball, bowling, bocce, floor hockey and snowshoeing.
Waller has participated in Special Olympics for 11 years in a variety of sports. He earned a gold medal and Johnson fourth place in the 800-meter race. Both also took home silver medals in the 400-meter contest.
Mallory, who has cerebral palsy and developmental delays, said competing against the fastest athletes in the world showed her why all her training matters and that she can accomplish anything if she works hard enough.
“The best part was sharing this experience with my Special Olympics USA teammates, making lifelong friends and having my family there to cheer me on,” Mallory said in a recap posted by Special Olympics Illinois.
“From the starting line to the medal podium, our team poured their hearts into every race — proving that hard work, passion and perseverance create extraordinary moments,” the organization said.
ABC and ESPN+ will broadcast a Best of the Special Olympics World Games from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 6.
Besides training, Mallory volunteers at Our House of Hope Rescue, tackles 1,000-piece puzzles, rides tandem bikes with her dad and has visited 13 countries.