2019 in review: Special Olympics athletes take home titles
On Saturday, the community celebrated Special Olympics athletes Delina Rodrigues and Matt Anthony’s achievements in Palmerton Park. DANIELLE DERRICKSON/TIMES NEWS
Powerlifter Delina Rodrigues made 2019 a golden year.
The Palmerton native won two gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.
The town celebrated Rodrigues, as well as Mathew Anthony’s achievements at nationals with a ceremony in Palmerton Park.
The athletes were escorted into the park by flashing fire and ambulance vehicles. The park was filled with hundreds of supporters, including other Special Olympic participants who held congratulatory signs bearing their fellow athletes’ names.
The commemoration featured a long list of speakers. Including Palmerton Mayor Chris Olivia, who named March 23, 2019 “Matt Anthony and Delina Rodrigues Day,” state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon; Congressman Dan Meuser; Jennifer Tresp, training and unified sports director at Special Olympics Pennsylvania; and more.
Because of her latest hardware, Rodrigues and other members from the U.S. Special Olympics Team were invited to the White House.
Rodrigues presented President Donald Trump with a signed U.S. Special Olympics jersey. She already won two gold medals, so what’s next for the Olympian? Snowboarding.
Currently, she is training for the winter games which will take place at Seven Spring, Pennsylvania in February.
“I’m excited for my first ever winter games,” Rodrigues said.
Even with her latest endeavor, she is excited to show off her abilities on the gridiron again. The 2022 Summer Games are just around the corner.
