DeLandite Richard Tambini and three other Volusia County athletes are off to Orlando to participate in the 2022 USA Special Olympics Games next week.
Tambini, who is competing in swimming, is joined by Trevor Hamilton of Ormond Beach, competing in bowling; Ember Dubea of Port Orange, competing in stand up paddle; and Tiffany Dorber of Edgewater, competing in stand up paddle.
Asked whether he was excited to compete for Team Florida, Tambini replied with an emphatic, “Yes, I am.”
Tambini is very athletic, his mother, Margaret Tambini said. He surfs, swims, paddle boards and plays volleyball and basketball. He’s participated in state competitions for each of those sports, but this will be his first Special Olympics.
ENJOYING THE RIDE — Volusia County athletes Tiffany Dorber and Ember Dubea smile for a photo while they enjoy their bus ride to Orlando for the 2022 USA Special Olympics Games.
Margaret Tambini, who, by day, is a teacher at George Marks Elementary School in DeLand, will be participating in the games too as a coach.
“Both of us are very excited to participate in these games,” she told The Beacon. “I feel very honored to be selected in coaching.”
Richard, who has autism, is 21 years old and can be seen around town at either The Arc of Volusia in DeLand, where he spends some of his days, or at Chili’s, where he works part time. He lives with his parents Margaret and Tony Tambini.
The 2022 USA Special Olympics Games will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando June 5-12. More than 600 athletes and coaches from Florida will represent their state among the more than 5,500 total athletes competing.
