World Dwarf Games showcase athletes, ‘family’
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Riley Windeler stepped on to the stand, bowed his head and smiled from ear-to-ear as a bronze medal was placed around his neck.
The 23-year-old university student from Horsefly, British Columbia, was proud of having captained the Canadian volleyball team to a third-place finish.
But for Windeler and hundreds of athletes competing this week at the World Dwarf Games on the campus of Michigan State University, the Games are as much about inclusion and fellowship as they are athletics and competition.
“It’s amazing. You don’t get to be around little people” in this way, said Windeler, who led his team to a 25-3, 25-15 victory over a team comprised of athletes from various nations. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
The Games, which conclude today with the basketball finals at the Breslin Center followed by closing ceremonies, are held every four years. This year’s sixth installment is the largest ever and includes more than 400 athletes – slightly more than two-thirds are male – from 23 nations and every U.S. state taking part.
By comparison the 2009 Games in Belfast featured 250 athletes from 12 countries.
Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4-foot-10 or shorter. Most enjoy normal intelligence, normal life spans, and reasonably good health, according to Little People of America, Inc., a national nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families.
Known as dwarfs, little people or short-statured, those with dwarfism are sometimes misunderstood, and in extreme cases, ridiculed by members of the public.
That’s why the importance of the weeklong event in the dwarf community can’t be overstated, said Len Sawisch, who co-founded the Dwarf Athletic Association of America and is considered a pioneer in the world of dwarf athletics.
“Most of us grow up being the only little person in our school or our community,” Sawisch said. “To have the opportunity to be with other dwarf athletes” means a lot.
Just ask Cullen Adams, who repeated as the 100-meter dash champion, winning in 14.02 seconds, making him the world’s fastest dwarf athlete.
“Being part of the LP, the little people community, it definitely is an extended family – the camaraderie. It’s just so natural. And that’s the beauty of it,” said Adams.
Because inclusion is the name of the game, people of all ages and abilities were encouraged to compete in the 14 medal sports.
The Games are open to dwarf athletes and are organized by five age divisions.