Chris Ringot, right, with friends at a Young Athletes Program event in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Special Olympics Young Athletes Program (YAP) was designed to help athletes learn skills that will prepare them for competition once they reach age 8, but for Special Olympics Missouri athlete Chris Ringot, it’s shaping him into a leader. He has been lending a helping hand to the St. Joseph, Mo., program since its inception in 2008.

“It’s just fantastic,” Chris, 24, says about the program.

Chris’s mother, Mary Ringot, jumped at the opportunity to volunteer at this new program because she wanted other families in her community to experience the benefits of Special Olympics as early as possible. “When my son was little, we were always looking for ways to keep him active and involved,” she says. “We did the usual sports, t-ball and soccer and so forth, and he had fun, but it wasn’t the best fit for him. So a few years ago when I heard about the Young Athletes Program, it just hit me: That’s what we need to do. That’s what we have to do.” Mary now coordinates the entire St. Joseph Young Athletes Program.

The St. Joseph YAP now runs for five to eight weeks each spring and fall, and Chris never misses a session. He usually serves as a buddy, but occasionally he will run an entire station, teaching the skills necessary for each exercise to the Young Athletes. Once, while doing a swimming exercise, a Young Athlete named Jackson was afraid to let go of the wall. After Chris worked with him, Jackson gained the courage to push off and swim.

“Obviously having Chris there is great for the younger athletes,” says Special Olympics Missouri employee Katie Hrenchir. “They get to see an older athlete as a role model. But it’s even better for the parents. Here they are new parents, admitting their child has an intellectual disability. They see how mature and confident Chris is, and what their own children can become.”

Chris has become somewhat of a local celebrity through the program. “We will see Young Athletes outside of the program setting, and when they see Chris they get big smiles,” Mary says.

Chris Ringot will compete in aquatics at the 2011 World Games

His celebrity status is about to get a big boost. Next summer, Chris will travel to Athens, Greece, for the 2011 World Games. Chris will represent Team USA on the aquatics team. 

Chris has been competing with Special Olympics for 12 years but has been swimming for most his life. “He has been swimming since he could sit up,” says Mary. She says Special Olympics has done so much for not only her son, but also their family and community. “It’s overwhelming,” Mary says. “The amount of support is just overwhelming.”

Chris is now participating in a very strict training schedule for the World Games, swimming 1500 meters or more four times a week. He also walks at least a mile each day and is gearing up for basketball season.

“He trains very hard and has an amazing attitude,” Katie says. “Chris has the heart of a champion while participating for Special Olympics Missouri and in his daily life.”

Chris is one of seven athletes from Missouri competing in the 2011 World Summer Games in Greece. Watch a video of him helping at the St. Joseph YAP.