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Apex man wins two golds at Special Olympics World Games

An Apex man took home two gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.

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By
Mandy Mitchell
, WRAL reporter

Bryan Henry strolled into the Optimist Pool in Raleigh decked out in Team USA swimming gear. He immediately had friends asking to see what he had in his bag.

"It's so exciting," said a woman who was swimming but jumped out of the pool to see Henry -- who was now holding two gold medals.

Henry won the medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, which were held March 15-20 It's made him something of a celebrity.

"Well, it represents the whole country," Henry said. "It gives us a lot of respect and responsibility all over the USA."


Henry won the medals in swimming while competing in the 200 meter individual medley and the 100 meter butterfly. He also won a silver medal in the 100 meter freestyle.

"I had happy tears coming out of my eyes and I had my hands up. I looked at the time and it was a personal best," he said.

Henry is a star in North Carolina pools. At the U.S. Games last summer, he took home three gold medals. That performance propelled him to Team USA and the World Games.


He said the entire experience is something he will not forget.

"Abu Dhabi was a lot different than the United States," he said. And now he's looking ahead to what he hopes is another trip to the World Games in two years.

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