Cheatham County has been given an amazing opportunity to send a Special Olympic athlete to the 2022 Special Olympic World Winter Games in Russia.
Will Ethridge has been chosen to attend the Winter Games in Kazan, Russia. The games are set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2022 and end on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2022.
This is the first time a Cheatham County athlete has attended any world games hosted by Special Olympics.
Ethridge has participated in Special Olympics since he was 7 years old. He has participated in track and field, unified basketball, volleyball, flag football and his favorite sport – snowboarding.
He has competed both at the county games as well as the state games. He is not only an athlete for Special Olympics but has also served as assistant coach for a variety of skills competitions such as flag football and basketball.
Ethridge is employed as a Life Skills teaching assistant at Harpeth High School in the same class in which he attended and graduated from. He loves Special Olympics, what it has done for him as well as what it continues to do for others.
Ethridge will be competing in snowboarding at the World Games. He is the only Tennessee snowboarder who will be representing Team USA. Tennessee will also be taking one alpine skier and one speed skater to represent Team USA.
He is currently raising money to help fund his trip to Russia. An online donation platform will be available in the future, but currently checks can be made out to “Area 29 Special Olympics” and mailed to Attention: Jennifer Copeland, Area 29 Special Olympic Director, 2470 Sams Creek Road, Pegram, TN 37143.