“It’s both a blessing and an honor,” the Olympians react when they were chosen to lead the Festival of Lights parade in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – For this year’s Festival of Lights parade, three Olympians have been selected as grand marshals of the ceremony.

World-class athletes include Jennifer Valente (a track cyclist), Kate Brim (a para-cyclist) and Sarah Hildebrandt (a wrestler). They were all preparing for the games in Colorado Springs at the Olympic base.

Valente said she has been in the community for a while and moved to Colorado over a decade ago with the goal of becoming an Olympic athlete. Their event, track cycling, is an indoor sport in which bikers compete on an oval wooden track.

“I think I really enjoy the aspect of having to use your brain and your physical attributes. You have to think everything through and be prepared, in a lot of different ways,” Valente said.

Kate Brim said she started paracycling while recovering from a spinal cord injury.

“During routine surgery for a herniated disc, a blood clot traveled into my spinal canal. I turned to cycling as therapy. It was both physical exercise and strength building… it just gave me a way to look forward to every day,” Brim said.

Wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt says she grew up in the sport from watching her brothers compete.

Hildebrandt said: “It goes beyond medals and success as we normally define it. Wrestling was just a great tool. This is what it has become for me and it is so invaluable. It is truly the greatest gift of my life.”

The athletes had one thing in common: They are all excited for the celebrations this Saturday.

Brim said: “It’s an amazing event and people really need to come along and check it out. “It’s a great community and a really great time.

“Thank you so much. I’m just so grateful to be part of this community,” Hildebrandt said.

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