Big Island athletes earn five medals at Special Olympics World Summer Games

It’s a dream for any athlete to represent their country on an international playing field.

Last week, two Special Olympics Hawai‘i athletes, Teresa “Tess” Moore and Virginia “Kalei” Lee, represented Hawai‘i as part of Special Olympics USA at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany.

Teresa Moore of Hawai‘i Island (Special Olympics East Hawai‘i program) represented USA in track and field. Her results include:

• Silver Medal, Shot Put
• 4th Place, 50-Meter Run
• 6th Place, 4×100-Meter Relay

Virginia Lee of Hawai‘i Island (Special Olympics West Hawai‘i program) represented USA in powerlifting. Her results include:

• Silver Medal, Squat
• Bronze Medal, Female Bench Press
• Bronze Medal, Deadlift
• Bronze Medal, Combination Event

Other Hawai‘i individuals that represented Hawai‘i at the Special Olympics World Summer Games include Shavanna Mahoe from O‘ahu, who joined the World Games Local Organizing Committee as a bocce official, and Officer Kuilee Dela Cruz from the Hawai‘i County Police Department, representing Hawai‘i in the Law Enforcement Torch Run as a part of the Law Enforcement Team.

Teresa “Tess” Moore of Hawai‘i Island has been an athlete with Special Olympics Hawai‘i for 25 years and has competed in basketball, bocce, bowling, fitness, soccer, softball, swimming as well as track & field.

Virginia “Kalei” Lee of Hawai‘i Island competed in powerlifting in the female bench press, deadlift, squat, and combination events. Kalei has participated in Special Olympics Hawai‘i for 27 years and has competed in bocce, bowling, fitness, powerlifting and track & field.