Representing McLean on Global Stage: Ferris Finishes Fourth at Special Olympics

The Special Olympics are nearing the end of their first week, and one local athlete has already left his mark at the global event.

Earlier this month, we previewed swimmer Luke Ferris’ journey from a fear of the water to qualifying for this year’s games, and we can now report Ferris finished fourth in his primary event, the 1500-meter open water swim.

Ferris completed the swim with a time of 31 minutes and 48.24 seconds. He finished approximately one minute and 18 seconds ahead of bonze medalist Konstantinos Flytzanis of Greece, who finished the race in 30 minutes and 30.99 seconds.

“He did great. Athletically he had his best time,” said Luke’s father, John, reporting from the games in Los Angeles. “However, the real success for my wife and I is that he is spending 12 days without us in the dorm at the University of Southern California and seems to be making his way around okay. That is huge to us. All the World Games activities have been incredible and it has been a fantastic experience. We are so glad he is having a chance to grow as an athlete. But more importantly as a autistic teenager trying to make his way in life. He has two more events on Saturday, but already he has succeeded.”

Luke will also compete in the 800-meter freestyle and the 4x50-meter relay — both indoor events — on Saturday, Aug. 1.