Arlington Heights, Bartlett athletes nominated for Special Olympics world games

A pair of Northwest suburban residents are among the 11 Illinois athletes nominated as competitors and alternates to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Winter Games next year in Austria.

Lisa Minichino of Bartlett has been nominated for the cross-country skiing team and Steve McVoy of Arlington Heights for the Alpine skiing team.

Both currently compete through the Northwest Special Recreation Association.

All the nominated Illinois athletes and alternates will attend a Special Olympics USA training in Kilington, Vermont in either December or January to be evaluated for final acceptance to the national team.

More than 3,000 athletes from 110 nations will compete in eight Olympic type sports at the 2017 World Winter Games next March.

This prominent event brings worldwide attention to Special Olympics and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.

More than 4.5 million Special Olympics athletes train and compete year-round in 170 nations across the globe.