Share this Post
A local athlete is returning home with a silver medal from the 2023 Special Olympics.
We’re flipping out (!) over our very own Raleighite and Special Olympics athlete, Erin Cagle, who jetted to to Germany’s cap city and repped the USA in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in late June. After competing in an array of events—including vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, plus the all-around competition—Cagle is coming home with a silver medal in vaulting (!) plus a slew of other placements worth noting (4th in the all-around competition, 5th in balance beam and uneven bars and 7th in floor).
And this wasn’t her first rodeo, either. The 43-year old artistic gymnast has been competing in the Special Olympics since 2008. (Fun fact: She also dabbles in Alpine skiing and tennis!).
“I like gymnastics because it keeps me strong and healthy,” Cagle said in an interview with SONC. “I like it when I am more flexible. I have a few favorites; I like the floor exercises and the balance beam.”
To prep, Cagle trained twice a week at Sonshine Gymnastics in Holly Springs with her coach, Brenda Candland and the constant support of her dad.
“It’s always been a lot of fun for me,” said Cagle’s father, Greg, of his daughter’s athletic endeavors. “I get a lot of enjoyment from watching her compete. This whole idea of competing for her country in the Special Olympics World Games, it just couldn’t get any better than that.”
To boot, Philip Blount (of Mecklenburg County) nabbed the gold medal in shot put and placed 5th in the 100m and 6th in the 4×100 meter relay. And sports-seeking spectators could also catch Special Olympics USA reps competing in watchworthy events such as badminton, cycling, kayaking, field hockey, swimming, sailing, volleyball and more. Gold stars all around! sonc.net
Related Articles
Share this Post