Sherrie Izban, assistant track and field coach for Team USA and therapeutic recreation supervisor for Joliet Bolingbrook Special Recreation Association, returned home October 13 from Special Olympics World Games as part of a winning team.

Izban spent more than three weeks in Shanghai, China coaching athletes from across the United States at the Special Olympics Summer World Games. Her World Games experience began in late September when she stepped off the plane in Shanghai with the rest of the 150 coaches and 400 athletes that made up Team USA.

“It was very exciting to step off the plane in China,” Izban said, “But after being on the plane for 21 hours, I couldn’t wait to get off and stretch my legs!”

The first few days of the experience involved host town activities, which allowed the coaches and athletes to get a real taste of China.

“During our host town activities, my group and I learned how to write our names in Chinese,” Izban said, “Then we danced, took part in many games and visited a local grocery store. The evening ended with the group taking part in an elegant dinner banquet offering more Chinese culture and the true Chinese food experience – a 16-course meal!”

On October 2, the Special Olympics World Games opening ceremonies were held, which is a night Izban won’t soon forget. Athletes and coaches from Team USA as well as thousands of athletes and coaches from around the world all paraded into Shanghai Stadium in front of 80,000 people and witnessed an amazing celebration.

“Openings ceremonies was incredible from start to finish,” Izban said, “Words cannot describe how truly breathtaking it was. The use of colors, the imagery, the pageantry and the spectacular fireworks presentation was amazing. There were unbelievable performances by nearly 750 people who played instruments, did acrobatics and performed martial arts.”

Celebrities in attendance during opening ceremonies included Jackie Chan, Colin Farrell, Houston Rocket’s Yao Ming, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver to name a few.

“It was an unforgettable experience!” Izban said.

Once the games began, Izban was responsible for four athletes, including Kala Emery of Maine, Michelle Hardy of Montana, Morgan Smith of Tennessee and Matt France of Arizona.

Kala, Michelle and Morgan competed in the 4×100 relay along with Ashley Paden of New Jersey and took the gold!

“I will never forget the look of joy on their faces,” Izban said, “The proudest moment of my entire trip was watching that relay team and seeing Michelle cross the finish line first. When I realized they had just won the gold my eyes welled up with tears!”

At the end of the games, Izban’s four athletes boarded the plane for the US with a total of three gold medals, two silver medals, one bronze medal and a lot of happy memories.

“It was a wonderful experience, and I’m truly honored to have been a part of it, “Izban said, “Lots of memories were made that will stay with me forever. We were like a family and together we made one heck of a team!”

In the above picture, pictured left to right are Michelle Hardy of Montana, Kala Emery of Maine, Sherrie Izban of Romeoville, IL, Morgan Smith of Tennessee and Ashley Paden of New Jersey. View more pictures of the World Games at www.bolingbrookparks.org.