📸 Credit: City of Geneva on YouTube
Geneva’s City Council meeting on Monday opened on a high note as officials recognized hometown athlete Ben Bluemond, a Geneva High School graduate who recently won gold in the 5K race walk at the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships in Brisbane, Australia.
Key things to know:
The race: Bluemond represented Team USA and Special Olympics Illinois, competing against athletes from more than 30 countries in 97-degree heat. He was the only American medalist at the competition.
Ben Bluemond Week: Mayor Kevin Burns proclaimed this week through November 9 as “Ben Bluemond Week” in Geneva, celebrating his dedication and representing the city on the world stage.
Expressing appreciation: Bluemond thanked his family, coaches, and the Geneva community, calling it “an honor to represent Geneva, Fox Valley, the state of Illinois, and the United States.”
The city also celebrated February 23, 2022, as “Ben Bluemond Day” after the athlete took home gold medals at the 2022 Special Olympics Winter Games in the 800 Meter and 1600 Meter Snowshoeing events.
The mayor and other city officials applauded Bluemond for his accomplishments.
Watch the Council Meeting recording.
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