Under the new extension of its Global Presenting Sponsorship, ESPN and Special Olympics will: ESPN and The Walt Disney Company are proud of their nearly 35-year relationship with Special Olympics, together helping to move towards an end to discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. 2026 Special Olympics USA Games - YouTube 0:00 / 0:55 2026 Special Olympics USA Games 1,454 views May 6, 2022 46 Dislike Share Special Olympics Minnesota 432 subscribers. Each chapter in the United States sends a delegation. Special Olympics USA Games Coming To Minnesota In Summer 2026 The first, quadrennial, USA National Games were held July 18, 2006, in Ames, Iowa. Since then, ESPN has added year-round news and feature coverage of Special Olympics, its athletes, community, and culture. Phone: 612.333.0999. In 2026, the Special Olympics USA Games will unite thousands of athletes from across the United States. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place in Minnesota with 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans from all 50 states, parts of Canada and the Caribbean. . ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2021) Today, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, presented by Jersey Mike's Subs, announced new highlights for the USA Games, including the announcement of Exploria Stadium as the host for the Opening Ceremony. 200+ athletes competing in Medina Special Olympics Invite - WEWS We are thrilled to welcome the Special Olympics athletes and their families to our world-class University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in June of 2026, said President Joan Gabel, Honorary Co-Chair for the 2026 USA Games. The USA Games featured 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and The Caribbean. Coaches are selected through an application process managed by the USA Management Team. Our university shares the same goals of the Games in transforming lives through inclusion and celebrating each persons greatest ability.. Actor Tom Arnold, originally from Iowa, was the Master of Ceremonies for the Opening Ceremonies, and several other celebrities were at the event as well, including NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and actor Brandon Routh, both also Iowans. 2026 USA Games Logo. July 4 Is Monday: Which Fireworks Are Legal In Minnesota. Email: [email protected] . Think again. Thousands of athletes, families and fans will attend the games in June 2026. Randy Furst is a Star Tribune general assignment reporter covering a range of issues, including tenants rights, minority rights, American Indian rights and police accountability. And the 2026 games will mark the largest sporting event in the United States that year, the release says. The Special Olympics began in 1968 to give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to develop athletic skills. Through its storytelling, media platforms and grant-making, ESPN is building positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities and showing the world that the revolution is inclusion.. 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Athletes showcase their skills during Special Olympics Glacier Area The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled for June of that year, is expected to bring up to 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans to the Twin Cities area,. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minnesota will host the Special Olympics USA Games in June 2026. In addition to its programming agreement, ESPN will continue to be the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports, extending a role it has held since 2013. See results from the 2022 Berlin National Games. Calendar and Events - SpecialOlympics.org The Special Olympics USA Games have been held every four years since 2006. Kazan, Russia, which has hosted a World Cup and World Swimming Championship in the past, will host the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2022. The Opening Ceremony took place on July 1 at Husky Stadium and included a 2,000-person choir and musical performances from Ann Wilson and Charlie Puth. 2022 USA Games Athletes Ke'Shaun Tillman Finds his Place in Sports Photography with Help from Mentor On the campus of North Carolina State University, Erin Johnston and Ke'Shaun Tillman formed an unlikely friendship. Inclusion Revolution Radio episodes drop every other Friday at 10am ET. Forty Minnesota-based Jersey Mike's shops raised just over $450,000 on March 30 for the chain's Day of Giving, according to the company. Sovereign is a former Special Olympics Minnesota board member and an active volunteer for the organization. Associated Press. EIN #41-1228157, Minnesota officially wins bid to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, Use of this site is governed by and is deemed as your acceptance of our. Organizers believe it. The Games will be comprised of 15 Olympic-type team and individual sports, as well as five demonstration sports. #2026USAGames. Christine Sovereign, senior managing director and Minneapolis office managing director of Accenture, will be the CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, serving as a loaned executive from the company. Tim Walz made the announcement Friday at the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium, where he was joined by U President Joan Gabel, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and Dave Dorn, president and CEO of Special Olympics Minnesota. Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sportsrelated travel and event industry. Improving the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities. Team New Jersey, attended the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, comprised of 175 athletes, Unified partners, and coaches and competed at the highest level alongside more than 5,500 individuals from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Local and international year-round sports training and athletic competitions. 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The Twin Cities hosted the 1991 International Special Olympics, which drew nearly 130,000 fans over seven days of competition in 16 sports. Event Photos 2022 USA Games Training Camp Photo Album 2022 USA Games Friday, June 3 - #TeamSOILL Send Off Dinner Saturday, June 4 - #TeamSOILL Travels to Orlando Minnesota will host 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization that empowers people with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics exists in every corner of the globe and has supported over five million athletes. 3 min read. [22], The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games were held in Orlando, Florida, from June 5-11, 2022. Christine Sovereign, senior managing director and Minneapolis office managing director of Accenture, will be the CEO of the 2026 games and Adam Hjerpe, a UnitedHealth executive, will serve as board chair. Special Olympics Pennsylvania hosts the following state level competitions: Fall Festival - Villanova University, November 3-5, 2023 Winter Games - Seven Springs, PA, February 14-16, 2023 Indoor Winter Games - York, PA, March 4-5, 2023 Summer Games - Penn State University, June 8-10, 2023 Sports Camp - August 13-19, 2023 Learn more about hosing an international Special Olympics event. Be a revolutionary and help end discrimination against people with Intellectual Disabilities. ESPN will air the opening ceremony at . Join. In June 2026, the Twin Cities will host as many as 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans from all 50 states, parts of Canada and the Caribbean. The Minnesota event will be the sixth Special Olympics USA games. 37 Unified partners. Walz said it will be the single largest sporting event to take place in the United States in 2026 and will showcase the state's commitment to inclusion and show "that every single person can thrive.". MINNESOTA Minnesota is set to host the Special Olympics in four years time after winning a yearlong competitive bidding process to stage the Games. Special Olympics Iowa is pleased to announce the team that will be representing Iowa at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next year in Orlando! Sports bring people together. Inflation Eases (Barely): How It Still Affects Minnesota Residents. Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcares CEO, will serve alongside Joan Gabel as Honorary Co-Chair for the Games. 31 July 6 August 2022 in Detroit, MI USA. Special Olympics Minnesota is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will bring together 4,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states. The 2026 Special Olympics will feature 15 Olympic-style team and individual sports, as well as five demonstration sports. Special Olympics - Latest News, Videos, Articles - ESPN You could hear the cheers from every corner of Whitefish Mountain Resort on Wednesday as the Special Olympics Glacier Area Winter Games got underway. Forty-nine-year-old Erik Anderson, a golfer, has been competing for three decades. We are thrilled to welcome the Special Olympics athletes and their families to our world-class University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in June of 2026, said President Joan Gabel, Honorary Co-Chair for the 2026 USA Games. The events will be mainly hosted by the U but there will be other venues, including the M Health Fairview Sports Center in Woodbury. ESPNs support of Special Olympics began over 30 years ago, and groundbreaking multimedia coverage of Special Olympics events began in 2015. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at the University of Minnesota, officials announced Friday. The games will include 15 Olympic-type team and individual sports as well as five demonstration sports competitions that are not typically held at the state level, such as stand-up paddleboard and cheerleading. University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel, who is an honorary co-chair for the Games, said the school is thrilled to welcome athletes and families to the Twin Cities and its campus. The Games will be comprised of 15 Olympic-type team and individual sports, as well as five demonstration sports. Get inspired with stories of joy, perseverance, and achievement. Sovereign is a former Special Olympics Minnesota board member and an active volunteer for the organization. June 2026! Minnesota to host Special Olympics USA Games in 2026 Home - Special Olympics Minnesota Special Olympics Ohio had its largest USA Games Ohio delegation in history. 900 2nd Avenue S, Suite 300Minneapolis, MN 55402, Special Olympics USA Games (@specialolympicsusagames) Instagram photos and videos. In recent years, Disney and ESPN have continued to deepen their relationship through donation, program sponsorship, programming and volunteerism, including: Walt Disney World Resort will host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, offering its 220-acre ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as the premier venue for the USA Games. ORLANDO, Fla., June 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, presented by Jersey Mike's Subs, welcomed 5,500 Special Olympics athletes and coaches to. The Special Olympics describes its mission as providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, "giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skill and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.". Yahoo Sports Canada. How WWE superstar Becky Lynch found a way to top . Get in touch with us to volunteer, become an athlete, join a Unified Sports team, work as a coach and learn about upcoming events. The event is expected to draw around 4,000 athletes and tens of thousands of fans,. UnitedHealth Group is the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcares chief executive officer, will serve alongside Gabel as honorary co-chair for the Games. Get inspired with stories of joy, perseverance, and achievement. Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcares CEO, will serve alongside Joan Gabel as Honorary Co-Chair for the Games. ESPNs coverage of major Special Olympics events will continue to reach fans around the world via ESPN and Disney networks and media platforms in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and the Middle East. SCHEDULE: 2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES ORLANDO ESPN3: Live streaming competition coverage Contacts: ESPN Paul Melvin: paul.melvin@disney.com John Manzo: John.Manzo@espn.com ESPN AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS ESPN's relationship with Special Olympics spans nearly 40 years. The Games' footprint in Paris will be compact and sustainable, with the city utilizing existing or temporary venues in nearly all cases. * Special Olympics markets supported by ESPN grants since 2013: US = CT, NC, WA, So Cal, FL, No Cal, NY, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, TX, AZ (12); International Countries = China, India, Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Australia, Canada, Tanzania, Swaziland, Great Britain, Belgium (19). Winter Games. What an instant classic. That figure is derived from "historical data from all the other USA Special Olympic games held in the past," said Howlett. WE ARE SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA. The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially the XXV Olympic Winter Games ( Italian: XXV Giochi olimpici invernali) and also known as Milano Cortina 2026 ( Ladin: Milano-Anpezo 2026 or Milano-Ampz 2026 ), is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 6 to 22 February 2026. By Randy Furst Star Tribune May 6, 2022 5:25pm Rene Jones. May 6, 2022. Joe Haden, cornerback for the Pittsburg Steelers, had a blast taking part at the Unified Flag Football Clinic at the 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi. Good day to all our readers! 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The memoir explores the complex story of the immigrant experience. This is the official Facebook page of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games coming to. To stay up to date on the 2026 USA Games or to get involved locally, please visit Special Olympics Minnesotas website at somn.org and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. Peyton Libby, a junior at Orono High School, is playing basketball for Team Minnesota in Orlando this year. Reels . Minnesota will host Special Olympics USA Games in 2026 Two states were finalists in the bid to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA games, said Katie Howlett, a spokeswoman for Special Olympics Minnesota. Special Olympics USA Games - Special Olympics Minnesota Historically, the Games have generated over $70 million dollars of economic impact for their host city. MINNEAPOLISThousands of athletes and fans will gather in the Twin Cities in June 2026 for the Special Olympics USA games, held every four years in the United . Ever since I was little, my dream was to work at ESPN. Twin Cities Chosen as Host of 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Olympics Minnesota to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Gov. "Minnesota has always been an epicenter for health and wellness, and that includes inclusive health for all Minnesotans. The healthcare powerhouse, which includes UnitedHealthcare and Optum, has been a long-time supporter of Special Olympics Minnesota and is committed to helping people live healthier lives, increasing access to care and eradicating health disparities for all. Walz announces Minnesota will host 2026 Special Olympics USA Games - YouTube During a press conference on Friday, Gov. Unleashing leadership potential in people of all abilities. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled for June of that year, is expected to bring up to 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans to the Twin Cities area, according to Special Olympics Minnesota. In a little less than one year - June 5-12, 2022 - more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states . Sport competition will be hosted at the University of Minnesota and additional world-class venues throughout the Twin Cities. Founded in 1968, and celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries. The athlete-led podcast wants to know: what does inclusion mean to you? Thousands of Athletes, Coaches and Fans Came Together to Historically, the Games have generated over $70 million dollars of economic impact for their host city. Minnesota will host the Special Olympics USA Games in 2026, an event that's expected to draw tens of thousands of athletes, coaches and fans to the Twin Cities. ESPN's 2018 Special Olympics USA Games recap video.Team Michigan consisted of 55 athletes for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the GooglePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Serviceapply. Special Olympics supports over 4 million athletes, coaches, and volunteers with 32 Olympic-type sports. Eric Granstrom, from the NCW Life Channel, for the 14th year running, emceed the event, announcing each team as they . Its a very fun opportunity [to continue the] inclusion revolution,Perkins said. Competition & Games - Special Olympics Pennsylvania Walz announces Minnesota will host 2026 Special Olympics USA Games The budget for the event exceeded $15M. In June 2026, the Twin Cities will host as many as 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans from all 50 states, parts of Canada and the Caribbean. Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events. Bill Legalizes Assisted Suicide In Minnesota, Bill Would Bring Ranked-Choice Voting To MN State, Federal Elections, Snow In The Forecast For Twin Cities: MN Weather, T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week, Dad Builds Giant Snow Fort For His Kids In Eagan: Photos, Minnesota Lawmakers Propose Stricter Construction Worker Wage Theft Laws, Driver's Licenses For All, Voting Rights Restoration Bills Clear Final Hurdle; Walz Will Sign, DFL Pushes Legislation To Make Minnesota Criminal Justice System More Rehabilitative, Less Punitive. Hear about Special Olympics impact from around the world. More than 200 individuals representing 46 Special Olympics US Programs have come together to make up the Special Olympics USA delegation at Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. The @usa_curl National Championships are underway, We are on location for the next few days at the #s, Pro Bowl Games 2023 2026 Special Olympics USA Games posted on LinkedIn Sport competition will be hosted at the University of Minnesota and additional venues throughout the Twin Cities. Innocence Project seeks to exonerate Marvin Haynes of 2004 north Minneapolis flower shop killing, Lois Glewwe was keeper of South St. Paul's history. Gabel said the university is excited to host the events and will be providing housing, dining, medical facilities as well as the venues where athletes compete. Gov. I always felt most comfortable in sports competition, it was my escape, my first love and a way to prove myself. (Special Olympics Minnesota). Special Olympics USA - Wikipedia ESPN's Coverage of Special Olympics USA Games Orlando Begins June 5 The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games concluded after being held June 5-12, in Orlando, Florida.. On behalf of the more than 350,000 employees from UnitedHealth Group, we are thrilled to be the presenting sponsor of the 2026 USA Games right here in our hometown, Thompson said. The Business Journals Select a City State & Sectional Events - Special Olympics Pennsylvania 31 July 6 August 2022 in Detroit, MI USA. Learn more about the power Special Olympics has to make real change around the world. For more information go to www.espn.com/citizenship. The opening ceremony was held on June 5th at Exploria Stadium and was produced by Disney Live Entertainment featuring performances from Sara Bareilles and others. The fifth will take place in Orlando next month. EU Co-funded Inclusive Healthy Lifestyle Groups in Schools project kicks off with first transnational Consortium meeting. Abdul-Jillil gets ready to host her "Afternoons with Ayesha" segment, helping athletes stay fit and connected virtually. Striggow is now a defensive end on the Gopher football team. The Twin Cities will host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, a competition every four years for children and adults with intellectual challenges. Four potential candidates to replace Whalen as Gophers coach, Here are the 15 best chocolate chip cookies in the Twin Cities, Medcalf: Javier Zamora's 'Solito' is spring reading selection for anti-racism book club. I think Ill be so happy to watch them and support them, Libby said. Unleashing leadership potential in people of all abilities. But Knauss said theyre already excited to have the event in the Twin Cities. Its somebody there to support you.. The athlete-led podcast wants to know: what does inclusion mean to you? Minnesota to Host 2026 Special Olympics USA Games [21], The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games were held in Seattle, Washington from July 16, 2018. The relationship between ESPN and Special Olympics spans nearly three and a half decades and has been built on a bedrock of shared belief in the power of sports to positively impact lives and make lasting change in the world said Jimmy Pitaro, President of ESPN and co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. The event was hosted and organized by Villanova University students and is the largest annual student-run Special Olympics event in the world.