Opening Ceremony Special Guests

State Games of Michigan · 2 years ago · 122 views

We’re excited to have Paralympian Mackenzie Woodring and Olympian Nick Baumgartner join us at the 2024 Summer Games Opening Ceremony. Mackenzie Woodring, Paralympian, We are thrilled to have Mackenzie Woodring join us at the Opening Ceremony. Mackenzie is an incredibly accomplished Paralympian and World Championship Cyclist. Stop by and meet Mackenzie during athlete check-in! She’ll have her bike and medals on display. Mackenzie is a two-time Paralympian in 2008 and 2016, in addition a three-time medalist. Furthermore, Woodring has an incredible World Championship Resume including four medals, three of which are Gold! Woodring continues to be an inspiration to people around the world as she not only continues competing individually but also as a member of the Priority Health Cycling Team. Nick Baumgartner, Olympian, 2022 Gold Medalist Nick Baumgartner was called the pride of the Upper Peninsula when he became the oldest Olympic snowboarder at 40 years old, to stand atop the podium, representing TEAM USA at the 2022 Beijing Games in Snowboardcross (SBX). The age-defying athlete took GOLD in the snowboardcross mixed team event with Lindsey Jacobellis. He wore his heart on his sleeve, showing the world that age is but a number. Hailing from Iron River, MI, Nick has been part of the US Snowboard team for nearly 20 years as a 4-time Olympian, with his first Olympic Games in 2010. A proud “Yooper,” Nick continues to be a dominant force in international competition and is currently training to for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Nick is also an X-Games gold and silver medalist. Often called, “Rad Dad”, Nick's pride is his son Landon, who is his biggest supporter and attends Michigan State University. In the off-season Nick works in construction and has been a union concrete laborer to support his athletic dreams, dubbing him the “Blue Collar Olympian.” Nick’s first book Gold From Iron, co-written with Detroit Free Press senior sportswriter Jeff Seidel, hit shelves in January 2024 and quickly rose on the Amazon Best Seller list for sports books. Nick shares his story with audiences around the country as a keynote speaker and believes that perseverance, dedication, and accountability are the building blocks to success. Come see Mackenzie and Nick at Opening Ceremony