GREENSBORO, N.C. — Grimsley High School student AJ Spaeth has always been athletic, but in just a number of weeks, he'll be taking his talents to the other side of the world to compete in the Special Olympics World Games.
The 18-year-old has been a part of the North Carolina Special Olympics team for five years. Last July, Spaeth placed in several track and field events at the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle even taking home a gold medal for the 200-meter dash! It wasn't long after that big win he received an invitation to compete in the World Games in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"I’m going to push it, I’m going to gas it, and I’m going all the way!" Spaeth said Tuesday night, before working with his trainer, Taylor Creed.
"He makes us proud," said his dad, Joe Spaeth, "He's excited about it and he's a hard worker."
Spaeth is hoping to win big this March, so he's taking his training seriously and channeling his running idol, Usain Bolt.
The Special Olympics World Games will be held March 14 - 21. More than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries will compete.