MOULTRIE – For a decade now, Deon Grant’s been about competing. Being from a southwest Georgia town, not many would have guessed his greatest achievement taking place in a European country racing on an icy surface.

At the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games held March 14-25 in the nation of Austria, Grant took part in two ice speed skating events. It was in the 222-meters that he won first place, the Gold medal, with a time of 42.497 seconds.

There was also a fouth-place ribbon earned for Grant’s efforts, that in the 333-meters, in which he timed 1:15.173.

But, due to his competitive nature, Grant admitted he was not happy about that other result. When talking about the Gold, he’s all smiles.

Grant was selected to represent Team USA at the Austrian games last year. Part of his journey there was serving as Grand Marshal for the State Fall Games Oct. 7-9 in Gainesville.

For the last 10 years plus, Grant’s activities in Special Olympics included Bocce ball, soccer, softball, Alpine skiing, flag football and his favorite, equestrian riding.

To get ready for the Winter Games, Grant had to overcome a little fear: flying. It’s something he’d never done before until this year. Before going to Austria, he met up with his fellow World Games selectees and coaches for the first time in Vermont.

As for Austria, he said it was “very pretty,” but even with it being winter games, there was no snow to be seen.

Grant is new to the sport of ice speed skating, but P.J. Jones, adapted physical education teacher and Special Olympics coordinator for the Colquitt County school system, said he’s come a long way.

Jones and local Special Olympians take a trip every year to Boone, N.C., which is where they received exposure to such activities as skiing.

“They get better and better,” said Jones. She added they can work on skiing techniques in Moultrie but get a lot of instruction in Boone.

“I like to go down big hills,” said Grant.

The 21-year-old Grant can be found most days at Colquitt Regional Medical Center. There, he works as a dietary aide. One of his more important duties is taking treys of food to the patients.

Speaking of food, Grant said the athletes were fed well in Austria as they dined on turkey and chicken. He also made several new friends from numerous countries, including China. However, he didn’t learn any new words.

Grant also didn’t let a sprained hand stop him from winning Gold. Jones said he fell during warmups, and there was fear that he broke his hand. She said he got up and finished, and Grant said it still a little sore. Now it’s a matter of earning another shot at Gold.