Special Olympics athlete Joe Kaczynski poses with his medals on May 21 in Midland. Kaczynski won a gold medal in cross country skiing during the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.
After trekking more than three miles of snowy Austrian mountainside in his skis, Joe Kaczynski reached the most memorable moment of his athletic career. In March he won gold at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Prior to the competition, the 32-year-old cross-country skier from Midland said he dedicated his performance to his older brother, John. His sibling's 10-year battle with lung cancer was the motivation behind his milestone in Austria.