People & achievements · England
Athletes and sporting achievements
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Meet Jessica-Jane Applegate, Kiera Byland and Chris Nikic.
Your own interests and achievements matter too.
Different ways to enjoy sport
Some people train and compete in sport.
Other people take part for fun or friendship.
Jessica-Jane Applegate
Jessica-Jane is a swimmer from England.
She won a gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Kiera Byland
Kiera is a cyclist.
She won six gold medals across two Special Olympics World Games.
Those Games took place in 2015 and 2019.
Kiera also teaches cycling and swimming.
Chris Nikic
Chris is an athlete from the United States.
He completed a full IRONMAN triathlon in 2020.
A triathlon includes swimming, cycling and running.
Chris was the first person with Down syndrome to finish this event.
Find something you enjoy
You can choose a sport or activity you like.
You do not have to win medals.
Ask a club about trying an activity.
Ask about the cost and support you need.
You can go at your own pace.
Enjoying yourself matters.
What you can do next
The club finder opens with London.
Choose your own area and the sport you want to try.
Find a Special Olympics GB club Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Jessica-Jane Applegate: swimming achievements Web page
Team England’s profile confirms her intellectual disability and London 2012 swimming gold.
- Kiera Byland: cycling, teaching and leadership Web page
Special Olympics describes her cycling medals, learning disability and coaching work.
- Chris Nikic: completing an IRONMAN Web page
Special Olympics profile of the American athlete’s achievement in November 2020.
- Special Olympics GB: find a sports club Web page
Starts with London. Choose your own region and sport in the club finder. Ask the club about access, costs and support.
- Special Olympics GB: what it offers Web page
Explains its sports training and competitions for people with intellectual disabilities.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Athletes and sporting achievements
Meet Jessica-Jane Applegate, Kiera Byland and Chris Nikic.
For readers in England · People and achievements may be from other countries
Jessica-Jane Applegate: swimming
Jessica-Jane Applegate is a swimmer from England. Team England identifies her as an athlete with an intellectual disability. She won gold in the 200 metres freestyle at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The profile also describes later swimming achievements.
Kiera Byland: cycling and teaching
Kiera Byland has an intellectual disability, also called a learning disability in England. She won six cycling gold medals across the 2015 and 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Her work also includes teaching cycling and swimming and representing athletes. The medal number refers to those two Games, not a claim about every medal in her career.
Chris Nikic: an achievement in the United States
Chris Nikic has Down syndrome. In November 2020, he became the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full IRONMAN triathlon. A triathlon combines swimming, cycling and running. Special Olympics describes his participation in Florida. This is an example of an individual achievement, not an exercise target for everyone.
Different events and different routes into sport
The Paralympic Games and Special Olympics are different organisations and competitions. These stories are not a guide to sporting eligibility. Special Olympics GB offers training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities across Great Britain, including England. The club finder lets you select a region and sport. Ask the provider about its eligibility and available support.
Your enjoyment matters
You can take part for fun, friendship, movement or competition. You do not have to win medals. You could ask about a taster session, accessible facilities, communication, transport and costs. Choose an activity and pace that fit your interests and support needs.
About the people in this guide
These profiles use public accounts from the people themselves, their representatives or organisations that work with them. Learning disability is used in its English sense, also called intellectual disability. Dyslexia, ADHD or autism alone does not mean someone has a learning disability. People have different support needs and different ambitions.
Words you could use
“I would like to try … Please help me find an opportunity, understand the cost and arrange the support I choose.”
More useful links
- Jessica-Jane Applegate: swimming achievements Web page
Team England’s profile confirms her intellectual disability and London 2012 swimming gold.
- Kiera Byland: cycling, teaching and leadership Web page
Special Olympics describes her cycling medals, learning disability and coaching work.
- Chris Nikic: completing an IRONMAN Web page
Special Olympics profile of the American athlete’s achievement in November 2020.
- Special Olympics GB: find a sports club Web page
Starts with London. Choose your own region and sport in the club finder. Ask the club about access, costs and support.
- Special Olympics GB: what it offers Web page
Explains its sports training and competitions for people with intellectual disabilities.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 2 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Jessica-Jane Applegate: swimming achievements Web page
Team England’s profile confirms her intellectual disability and London 2012 swimming gold.
- Kiera Byland: cycling, teaching and leadership Web page
Special Olympics describes her cycling medals, learning disability and coaching work.
- Chris Nikic: completing an IRONMAN Web page
Special Olympics profile of the American athlete’s achievement in November 2020.
- Special Olympics GB: find a sports club Web page
Starts with London. Choose your own region and sport in the club finder. Ask the club about access, costs and support.
- Special Olympics GB: what it offers Web page
Explains its sports training and competitions for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Mencap: learning disability and learning difficulty Web page
Easy Read explanation of the different terms.