Special Olympics to Send Amy Henrich to Austria for 2017 Alpine Ski Competition

SMITHFIELD, RI—Bristol's Amy Henrich is a Special Olympics veteran, with 20 years of competitions under her belt.

Now, she's up for a new challenge when the organization sends her to the 2017 Winter World Games in Austria to represent the U.S. in alpine skiing.

She's one of just two Rhode Islanders making the trip and among the 210 athletes and coaches chosen to represent the U.S. from all across the nation.

Chris Lussier, of Warwick, is the other Rhode Islander. He'll compete in snowshoeing.

The Games will be held March 14-25, 2017, in Graz, Ramsau and Schladming, Austria, according to the press release from Special Olympics Rhode Island. U.S. teams will compete in seven sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating. The World Games are held every two years and alternate between winter and summer sports.

Here is Henrich's story.

"Amy Henrich is a member of the Special Olympics USA set to compete at the 2017 World Winter Games in alpine skiing. The Bristol, R.I., native has been with Special Olympics for 20 years. She competes in skiing, bocce, sailing and swimming. She has other hobbies besides athletics, including cross-stitching, cooking, walking her do and hanging out with friends. Her favorite pastime is adult coloring books.

"Henrich graduated from high school and has been teaching 1st grade religious education at her church on Sundays. She has recently accepted a position as substitute at Countryside Preschool.

"'My mom and I have known ever since I was five that I'm good with kids and that I want to teach them,' Henrich said. Although this is her first time leaving the country, Henrich has been to the World Games before when they were held in North Carolina while she was in high school; she competed in track and field. 'I'm looking forward to the atmosphere and the country itself,' Henrich said. 'My parents are going and my dad is really proud of me because he skis too.'

"She said it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and she's excited to meet new people as well. Special Olympics has been a great opportunity for her. 'I used to have a hard time accepting myself and making friends but I've met so many people and we have ultimately become friends,' she said. She feels it helped her break out of her shell. Above everything else what's important to her is simple. 'All that truly matters is that we all have fun while we are there,' she said

To follow her events, "ESPN's coverage, from March 18-25, marks the first-ever global coverage for a World Winter Games event. As an official broadcaster of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, ESPN's television coverage will be carried across its networks in the U.S. as well as streamed through WatchESPN and the ESPN App."