Local Special Olympian returns home victorious
Special Olympics bronze medalist Matthew Scarborough returned home to Madison on Friday, Feb. 8. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)
By Aldo Amato
MADISON – So few Americans have the opportunity to represent their country and even fewer are victorious.
Luckily, Madison resident Matthew Scarborough is the exception.
Scarborough was among three athletes from the Huntsville and Madison area to represent the United States at the 2013 Special Olympics World Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
He went on to win a bronze medal in speed skating.
The athletes arrived home from South Korea Friday evening at Huntsville International Airport to friends, family and local teammates.
Scarborough’s father Danny said that he enjoyed watching his son compete in a fantastic atmosphere.
“It was just phenomenal,” he said. “The athletes and the celebrities that were there really made you feel welcome. It didn’t matter where you were from, they communicated without language being the barrier.”
Scarborough, 24, said that his favorite part of the games was interacting with other athletes and competing.
“It was fun,” he said. “It was great competing over there in the ice.”
He added that while the experience was different, he had a blast being surrounded by his international friends.
“I had some friends from Tokyo, Canada and different teams,” he said. “It was fun racing different people.”
Veronica Scarborough said that she was extremely proud of her son and happy to see that he had a great time.
“It was awesome and I am so proud of him,” she said. “I just can’t say enough about him. He just goes out, competes and looks to have fun.”
(L-R) Veronica, Matthew, Kyle and Danny Scarborough. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)
Scarborough had a ton of support from his older brother Kyle who said that he tries to give his younger brother advice and encouragement whenever he can.
“I just told him to just have fun,” he said. “It was important for him to just go out there and be his normal self because that is what it is all about.”
Matthew Scarborough said that he definitely plans on competing again and for now is focused on celebrating his major accomplishment at home with family and friends.
