Valerio Katuya, 17, won the medal from Olympic swimming champion Stefano Battistelli.
The teenager with Down syndrome received the medal with a plaque of courage and generosity from Luca Loti – the Italian Minister of Sports. The teenager saved the life of a child who was drowning on the beach of Sabadia.
Katuya started swimming when he was three years old because his family wanted him to develop muscle strength and endurance. He loves to swim and has spent his life training and participating in the Special Olympics. He also trained to save people from the sea.
Katuya’s swimming skills helped him save the lives of two girls who drowned in the ocean. The young man was spending time with his family on Sabadia beach when the unexpected happened. He heard two girls screaming for help.
The tides swept the two girls, aged 10 and 14, into the sea as they tried to reach shore. Katuya and her father dove into the water to save the girls.
The teenager administered a rescue technique he learned in a first aid course. News of his heroic deed spread widely and he was honored by the former Italian Prime Minister and Sports Minister.
