Iowa City woman selected for Special Olympics Iowa’s Athlete of the Year Award

For Traci Long, athletics isn't about winning first place, it's about trying your best.

“I always tell all the athletes no matter if you don't come in first you will always be a winner, no matter what,” the 38-year-old said.

After 20 years of competing, Long received the 2010 Athlete of the Year Award for Special Olympics Iowa during the Summer Games opening ceremony on May 20.

“When I heard my name, I felt on top of the world,” she said.  “I stood up, yelled, put my hands above my head and ran up to the podium while all my friends cheered me on,” she said.

Joyce Allard, a spokeswoman for Special Olympics Iowa, said the award is presented to an athlete who epitomizes the spirit of being a true winner and giving their best while showing exceptional courage and sportsmanship.

Long's mentors said she fits that description perfectly.

Michael Lightbody , her coach of 10 years, described Long as a bubbly person with a contagious personality.

“Her presence motivates others to do better,” the 33-year-old said. “She has a really strong mentorlike attitude and is definitely a leader.”

Lightbody, who is the head coach for Iowa City Special Olympics said Long competes mainly in tennis but also in track, softball, snowshoeing and basketball.

“She is really excited and positive the whole time,” he said. “She's a really good role model and everyone listens to her.”

Since fall of 1995, Long has lived independently in Iowa City, but with assistance from the private agency Reach for you Potential.

Outside of Special Olympics Long stays busy working at Coralville's Handicare Day Care Center, where she helps care for children as young as 8 weeks old by feeding bottles, rocking them to sleep and reading stories. Long is also a participant in the program Best Buddies and said she enjoys collecting beanie babies.

On top of everything, Long also finds time to give back to the program she loves - working as a Global Messenger for Special Olympics. As a messenger she addresses groups about the program and shares her story as an athlete.

But what Long said she looks forward to more than anything else, is the approaching national competition she was competitively selected to participate in.

Long and three other Iowa City athletes have been invited to compete in the national Special Olympics competition in Lincoln, Neb., this July. Thirteen athletes from Cedar Rapids will also attend, helping to make up the total 87 Iowa participants, Allard said.

To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics an individual must be identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays, or significant learning or vocational problems. Long has an intellectual disability, Allard noted.

Long will compete in tennis singles and doubles. This will be her second appearance in national competition.