On the Slopes and in the Snow, Athletes Lead the Way at 2026 Winter Games
Athletes, families, and supporters filled Chestnut Mountain Resort on the second day of the 2026 Winter Games, where athletes moved between award ceremonies and the next round of competition. bringing excitement, and plenty of smiles, to one of Special Olympics Illinois’ most anticipated state tournaments of the year.
Among them was first-time athlete Kelial Crooks, who had just earned his first Winter Games medal. “I’m feeling pretty good,” Kelial said, holding tight to the slalom medal that marked a milestone moment in his young alpine skiing career.
Kelial, an athlete from Region F, previously competed at his local regionals, but stepping into the statewide event felt different. The mountain was busier, the cheers were louder, and the stakes were higher. And he noted how it felt to arrive at Winter Games.
“Exciting — and a little bit nervous,” he shared.
What stood out most to him wasn’t the run itself. It was the people. “Being surrounded by people and family and friends,” he said. “Happy.”
Kelial credits his coach for helping him get to this point. “I would like to thank my coach, Tom, who helped me a lot with skiing,” he said. That mix of teamwork and trust, seen across every corner of Winter Games, is part of what makes these days so meaningful.
From the Mountain to the Snowshoe Course
At Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Region D athlete Diego Villarreal was also celebrating a strong performance after medaling in the 50‑meter snowshoe race.
“I feel awesome,” he said, describing what it meant to compete with his team from Marquette Park.
For Diego, being part of a team is at the heart of his Special Olympics Illinois experience. “Having fun with my friends,” he said. “That’s my favorite part.”
He also takes that role seriously. When asked whether he feels like a leader on his team, he didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” And his approach to leadership is simple: be the one who brings energy.
“I was high-fiving them,” he said with a grin. “Yeah, it gets them hyped up.”
He explained why those moments matter. “If they’re having [a] down time, I try to make them right.” Diego prepared for Winter Games with stretching, drills, and regular practice across several sports. But his message to future athletes was straightforward: “Have fun. If you’re scared, take some deep breaths.”
That steady presence is something his mother, Joanne Rodriguez, has watched grow over the years.
“He started competing when he was eight, and it’s been a whole life experience,” she said.
Before joining Special Olympics Illinois, Diego often struggled to find spaces where he felt included. “They never let him play,” she said. “He would come home sad.”
Finding Special Olympics Illinois changed everything.
“He just fits right in,” she said. “I love watching him compete. It’s amazing to see what he’s accomplished.”
Joanne has watched him step into leadership naturally. “He likes to pump up his teammates,” she said. “He gets nervous, but once he’s with them, the nerves go away. They just pump each other up.”
This year marks the family’s second Winter Games, and the memories already stand out, from last year’s joke about snowshoeing “not in snow” that was followed by an overnight snowfall, to this year’s breakthrough moment when Diego won his division.
“Seeing him so proud makes me happy,” Joanne said.
For her, the growth she sees in Diego extends well beyond the finish line. “Leadership has made him more talkative,” she said. “He’s able to do speeches. I’m shy about speeches, and to see him do something that’s so hard for me, I love him for that.”
When asked what she’d tell another parent considering Special Olympics Illinois, her answer was clear: “It’s a joy. You’ll see your child blossom.”
The 2026 Winter Games concluded in Galena with the moments that matter most at Special Olympics Illinois: athletes pushing toward new goals, teammates supporting one another, and families celebrating every achievement. View Winter Games photos and results.
