When father and son Jim and Michael Sayih toe the line at the inauguralCHALLENGEDAYTONA Sprint Distance triathlon on December 8th, they’re sure to inspire everyone watching.
Twenty-four-year-old Michael is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He is the President ofSpecial Compass, an organization founded by his father, Jim, in 2015. As avid competitors, the Sayihs take the mission of Special Compass to heart.
“Special Compass was founded on the belief that adaptive athletes and persons of any disability should be included in all sporting events,” says Jim. “Buoyed by the joy and satisfaction that Michael and I experience through our own training and racing together, we feel compelled to help others enjoy opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for them.”
The Sayihs are avid competitors, tackling countless triathlons, obstacle course races, and running events together. Recognizing the tremendous inspirational impact they’ve had on others, they now work to match able-bodied athletes with adaptive athletes who are unable to compete individually.
“The able-bodied athletes share their movement, energy, and horsepower with athletes who don’t have the ability to move on their own,” says Jim.
Special Compass creates life-changing experiences for all athletes and community members involved in the program. To learn more and support the mission of Special Compass, please visit www.specialcompass.org.
About CHALLENGEDAYTONA
Are you ready to swim, bike, and run at the “World Center of Racing”? From December 7th-9th, 2018, Daytona International Speedway will welcome triathletes and triathlon fans from around the world to CHALLENGEDAYTONA. The entire festival of events will take place at the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, home of “The Great American Race”—the DAYTONA 500. www.challenge-daytona.com
