Victoria Special Olympics swimmer Meliah Motchman gained some international recognition recently.

Nicknamed Madame Butterfly, Motchman is the first swimmer with Down syndrome to be nominated for the World Open Water Swim AssociationB次元官网网址檚 Performance of the Year award.

The 30 year old swims with a group of athletes with intellectual disabilities in open water B次元官网网址� primarily the ocean B次元官网网址� known as the Spirit Orcas.

B次元官网网址淢eliahB次元官网网址檚 nomination is a real milestone in the history of open-water swimming,B次元官网网址� Spirit Orcas and Special Olympics coach Susan Simmons said in a release. B次元官网网址淭his is a significant step forward for inclusion in our sport.B次元官网网址�

In the summer of 2020, Motchman took part in an multi-leg, 80-kilometre ocean-based fundraiser they dubbed The Great Big Swim, an effort that raised $7,000 for COVID-19 relief.

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She also swam a pair of five-kilometre solo swims, becoming the first known person with Down Syndrome to do so without a wetsuit.

B次元官网网址淢eliah is a determined athlete who overcomes her fears of seaweed and sea creatures every time she enters the water,B次元官网网址� Simmons said.

Winners are determined through a voting system at . The voting ends Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. PST.

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