SOMO to host welcome home parade for Charlie on Tuesday, June 27 in Savannah
BERLIN – Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) and Special Olympics USA athlete Charlie Phillips has made a name for himself at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. His inspiring attitude, determination and never-give-up mindset has culminated in three silver medals and one bronze medal! More importantly, Charlie has captured the heart of the entire world.
Charlie competed in the men’s squat, men’s deadlift, men’s bench press and men’s all-around competition on Friday, June 23 at Messe Berlin.
Here are his results:
Men’s Squat: Silver Medal – 162.5 kg | 358.25 lbs
Men’s Bench Press: Silver Medal – 115 kg | 253.5 lbs
Men’s Deadlift: Bronze Medal – 197.5 kg | 435.5 lbs
Men’s All-Around: Silver Medal
“I just can’t wait to come back and show everyone all the medals I have,” Phillips said. “Follow your dreams. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It’s all about having fun.”
After the competition, Charlie gave a must-see emotional interview with ESPN’s Kelsey Riggs.
“My dream has come true, and I’m like Michael Phelps,” Phillips said to ESPN.
Charlie has made quite a few friends during his time in Berlin, including former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
The ESPN reporter interviewed Charlie live on Get Up on Monday morning.
Charlie also interviewed with ESPN’s Kelsey Riggs for the first time earlier in the week. You can watch the full interview here.
“I definitely beat the odds, and I motivate people,” Charlie said. “My dream has come true.”
Before he competed in Germany, Charlie had the opportunity to tour around the country. Charlie still has a few days in Germany before he heads home. On Sunday, he will participate in the Closing Ceremony.
Charlie is expected to return to Missouri on Tuesday, June 27. SOMO is hosting a welcome home parade for Charlie starting at 6 p.m. on June 27 in Savannah, Mo.
The parade will begin at the Savannah firehouse and go down Main Street – around the square twice. After the parade, Charlie will sign autographs and take pictures on the Savannah courthouse lawn.
Charlie is just 26 years old, but he’s already accomplished so much in his Special Olympics career. Charlie grew up in central Pennsylvania.
He got his start with Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) 15 years ago.
In 2010, Charlie participated in his first-ever Special Olympics USA Games as a part of SOPA’s track team.
Charlie’s family ended up moving to Missouri, and he never skipped a beat.
In 2018, Charlie was back at the USA Games as a powerlifter for SOMO. During his career, Charlie has participated in five different sports: basketball, track, soccer, flag football and powerlifting.
Special Olympics USA is comprised of 133 athletes and Unified partners, 38 coaches and 23 delegation members who support team operations. Athletes will compete in 14 of the 26 sports offered: athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, golf, gymnastics – artistic, gymnastics—rhythmic, kayaking, powerlifting, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
The delegation also includes Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together, as teammates. Special Olympics USA will have representation in the following Unified Sports®: basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, sailing, soccer, tennis and volleyball.
To learn more about the Special Olympics USA delegation, please visit www.specialolympicsusa.org for a full delegation listing, photos and bios.
Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends and communities across Missouri.
Special Olympics Missouri is proud of our financial health, returning 82% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Charity Navigator 4-star rating and Guidestar Gold Level. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 4 most trusted nonprofit.
Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.
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