MONMOUTH, Ill. — One of the best athletes in the entire country can be found right in our own backyard.
Monmouth's Mike Barry is heading to represent the USA at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in March 2025. The 56-year-old earned his spot after winning a gold medal at state in alpine skiing, adding to his collection of over 800 medals he's earned across sports such as skiing, basketball, bowling and more.
"I've been lifting weights," Barry told News 8. "Hoping I'll bring home the gold."
"He's excited about it, and he deserves it," Tom Glenn with Warren County Special Olympics said. "He's done eight or nine sports. He's been doing it for about 40 years. He is really excited about skiing in Italy, he's never skied on those kinds of slopes, so he's apprehensive but excited."
When Barry flies out to Italy to compete, it will be his first time traveling outside of the country.