The opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games kicks off in Abu Dhabi on March 14th and it will feature an athlete from the Forest City.

Susan Kuborn of Rockford will be competing in the track and field games.

She is the only local athlete headed to Abu Dhabi and one of seven from the state of Illinois to compete in this year's games.

She told mystateline.com:

World's is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you get one chance," "But, with original Special Olympics for say, track and field, you get three chances. But with World's, you still get three chances but this is once in a lifetime."

Kuborn left on Tuesday for Abu Dhabi.

We wish her, along with all the other athletes the best of luck!

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