Meet Lani De Mello of Peachtree City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lani De Mello.

Hi Lani, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began taking ballet, tap, and tumbling classes before I was five years old, and I continued through my graduation from high school. I realized very early on that I loved all of the dance classes, and my dream was to perform as Clara in The Nutcracker. I realized that because of the challenges of my Down Syndrome, I could not develop the skill necessary to dance that part. However, a friend told my mother about Special Olympics and I began competing in gymnastics in Special Olympics when I was thirteen. After high school I was given the opportunity to compete with typical athletes and was one of the few Special Olympians who competed with them and who received medals with them at the podium. From that time until now, I have been an active and devoted participant, and the opportunities have led to my world travels, championship medals, and the chance to mentor other special athletes. In addition, I have represented Georgia in the US National Special Olympics, and I have been a judge at the World Special Olympics in Los Angles, Abu Dhabi, and Berlin.
I am also a member of the only fully inclusive gymnastics team in the United States, Chattooga Gymnastics, located in Marietta, GA. We perform at Gymnaestrada, an international gymnastics festival that happens every four years and hosts teams from all over the world.

In about twenty-five years I have competed in all five branches of Gymnastics—Rhythmic, Artistic, Gymnastics for All, Wheel, and Trampoline and Tumbling, and I have medaled in all of these branches. In fact, I was honored to receive the Spirit of the Flame Award by USA Gymnastics in 2024. In my acceptance speech, I expressed my desire to be the first woman with Down Syndrome to receive this award, but not the last one.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been a smooth one, but I am grateful for everything I experienced on the road that challenged and strengthened me and my family as we look forward to other opportunities to perform and to serve. Perhaps my biggest challenge was in the early days of competing when there were few opportunities for a Down Syndrome athlete to participate in competition. I overcame this challenge with the support of my parents and coaches who encouraged me to continue to compete and to show others that special athletes could, through practice and dedication, build opportunities for others like me. Now special athletes compete and perform alongside traditional athletes in their communities and across the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love to paint and I like to create and choreograph new dance routines that are shared with my coaches, dance instructors and friends. My mother place videos my choreographed creations on you tube.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Others, including my parents and my coaches, have said that my essential qualities include persistence, patience, a strong work ethic, and perseverance. I believe that I thrive when working in the creative process, performing in front of an audience and working with other special athletes. I do not pass up the opportunity to be interviewed about our programs and about my experiences traveling the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lanidemello
• Facebook: Ana De Mello
• Youtube: Ana De Mello @anademello3408