They're dedicated athletes with a passion for their sport and a pension for fun.

The 2024 Special Olympics New Jersey Winter Games kicked off this week, hosting nearly 400 athletes of all abilities.

The events ranged from snowshoeing and speed skating to skiing and snowboarding.

And while participants are gunning for those coveted medals, the athletes remind us real victory comes from being brave in the attempt.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has their story.

Three, two, one, Go.

You got this.

Stay low.

Yeah.

Fourth grader Jake Karim conquered the giant slalom slope for intermediate skiers while his coach cheered.

We're super excited to be here.

Union City teacher Kristen Sosa's a volunteer at Special Olympics New Jersey's Winter Games.

Some 90 athletes with intellectual disabilities spent two days competing here on the slopes at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon.

38 students from Union City participated.

And so to help Jake train, he says falling is okay if you don't.

Fall in in like here, then you're not trying.

It has been an amazing experience who went from day one into a practice of barely being able to get his boots on to now take in this hill.

Pretty much like a pro.

We were super proud yesterday because one of our students was chosen to light the torch lighting.

The torch kicked off this year's Winter Games in venues across Sussex County, where almost 400 athletes vied for medals in skiing.

Skating, snowshoeing and more.

They vary widely in age and ability.

Everybody gets encouragement and support, says CEO and President Heather Anderson.

And I think that it allows our athletes, whether you're eight years old or 55 years old, to accomplish life through the success of sport and working on abilities.

And it's a very positive experience for them.

Their competitors Go.

San.

We do it because it's fun for Sam and we enjoy it.

We've been skiing our whole lives.

Steve and Lee-Ellen Pisauro brought their son Sam to compete.

He won a medal, but also to socialize.

He can communicate with other kids his own age and his own disabilities.

And it's great.

It is a lot of tears and tons of goosebumps for all of us.

Back in 1969, New Jersey sent just a handful of athletes to the Eastern regional Special Olympics held at the University of Maryland.

They had very little in the way of training or equipment.

Things have changed.

It's just flourished and growing over the years.

Through the kindness of volunteers, coaches, state sponsors, law enforcement.

So, yeah, I mean, today is just we're celebrating the success of 55 years in the making.

But the success of our athletes and what they show, what they can accomplish and focus on ability and not disability.

The organization rolls year round with more than 20,000 athletes competing in every season.

Founded by an $11 million budget.

All of it donated.

Ceremonies awarding gold, silver, bronze and participation medals.

Make sure everyone's included.

Jake's at patient Lee and watched the athletes honored with music and medals.

And then they called his name.

He solemnly took his place on the podium.

The number 19 bronze medal is Jake Karim.

I didn't necessarily expect the medal because honestly, it's more about the experience.

But the fact that he got one is just the icing on the cake for us.

You don't have to really care about it to care about.

We have fun stuff.

Did you have fun?

Yes.

And he later scored a gold medal.

Jake says he'll be back next year in Vernon.

I'm Brenda Flanagan NJ Spotlight News.