Idaho man to represent Team USA at Special Olympics competition in Italy

There’s a cloudy winter sky hanging over Peck, Idaho. The snow has mostly melted into mud, but that doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd that has gathered at the Greene residence.

Jeff Greene, a local man who has Down syndrome, will be representing Idaho and Team USA at the Special Olympics in Turin, Italy, next month. He’ll be competing in the 25- and 50-meter snowshoe races. Through the local newspaper, his parents invited the whole town to a party to celebrate, and people came in from rural towns throughout the Lewis-Clark Valley. 

Partygoers gathered in the yard near the bonfire, and Jeff put on his snowshoes to demonstrate a snowshoe run on the track his dad built for him in the backyard. 

Jeff Greene often practices on his backyard track at his family home in Peck, Idaho. (Credit: Lauren Paterson / NWPB)

People cheered as he raced down the muddy track. 

After the run, still panting, Jeff said he enjoys training for the events.

“It’s fun. I do what I can do,” Jeff said. 

Jeff has been participating in Special Olympics sports for more than 30 years. But last year, his mom, Nancy Greene, finally got a call. 

“ The CEO of Special Olympics Idaho called me on a Friday morning and said, ‘Do you think Jeff would be interested in going to Italy for the Winter Games?’” 

Trials were held in Salt Lake City, to test how the athletes do away from home without their family’s support. Jeff aced them, Nancy said.

“ Here we are! He’s leaving on the fifth of March to go to New York City, where they have a big send-off celebration for all the athletes in New York City, and they’ll fly out on the sixth of March,” she said.

Jeff said he is excited to go all the way to Italy. 

“ I cannot wait to be there,” he said. “My favorite part is the opening ceremony.”

Throughout the celebration, people continuously approached Jeff, wishing him well. He’s worked at the local grocery store for 25 years, and it’s clear he has a lot of friends, even some fans.

“We’ve known him since he was a little baby,” said Connie Province. “Everybody loves him, I mean, he’s a good conversationalist, he’s kind.”

Jeff’s sister, Nikki Anderson, said Jeff was supposed to go to the Special Olympics in Russia in January 2022. But the games there were canceled after Russia invaded Ukraine. Now, he finally gets a chance to compete abroad. 

“ He’s been training for a lot of years and he’s super excited to go and do this for the United States and Peck, Idaho,” Anderson said. 

Greene at the Special Olympics trials in Salt Lake City in April 2024. (Credit: Nancy Greene)

Karen Parks is sporting a black T-shirt with “Let’s Go Jeff” written on the front, like many of the people here. 

“Yeah, we have our shirts to support him,” Parks said. “He’s such an awesome guy, he’s so cool.” 

Just then, an Orofino Police Department cruiser pulls up. Lahni Ireland, the department’s office manager, said local law enforcement are rooting for him.

“ Jeff has always had a special part in everyone’s hearts in the community,” she said. 

Despite the feeling that there is division and negativity between people right now, there is still good in the world, Nancy said. 

“ And the Special Olympics athletes absolutely provide positive inclusion for people,” she said. “We need to have their attitudes and I think our world would be so much better.” 

Multiple family members and friends will fly to Europe to support Jeff and cheer him on. 

“All my friends are so happy for me to support, to be with Team USA,” said Jeff.

Next week, he will fly to Italy. The games begin on March 8.