By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
They're Olympic bound, a group of elite athletes. Believe it or not, the U.S. Special Olympics floor hockey team is based right here in Siouxland.
"I love that I get to meet new people, new friends. Ability that I never knew I had," said player Marty Haugen.
While a lot of these guys, and girl play numerous sports, they're head to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea playing floor hockey.
What makes floor hockey so different from regular hockey or field hockey, besides the fact that it's played on a floor, is its puck. It's made out of felt and has a hole in it.
Coach Marla Grier has been at the helm of the Special Olympics team for 33 years.
She says a requirement for the games are athletes who suffer from intellectual disabilities and nothing cures challenges like that like a thirst for sports.
"In this case, with these athletes who we consider elite athletes, it has raised their self-esteem. It gives them a lot to look forward to and strive to achieve," said coach Marla Grier.
And achieve, they have.
The team is headed to Korea with not just pucks on their minds, but they're competing in 7 other sports as well.
But to them, the best part is representing the red, white and blue.
"Honored, it's so amazing," said Haugen.
"I really don't know what I'd do without it. I've made lifelong friends. It's been life-changing for me, absolutely," said Player Jeffrey Wood.
The team leaves Thursday morning for South Korea and they'll be gone for 2 weeks.
On behalf of all of Siouxland, we wish the team the best of luck!
