Orlando, FL, USA June 16-25 2023 Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 96 Special Olympics athletes. After a year-long bid process, the announcement that Minnesota has been awarded the bid came from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at a press conference on May 6, 2022. 900 2nd Ave S, Ste 300Minneapolis, MN 55402, Special Olympics Minnesota is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Continue to build Unified Sports capacity through grants in the U.S. and multiple countries around the world, as well as support for conducting inclusive Unified Sports within refugee camps; Focus on improving the quality and raising awareness of Unified Sports initiatives; Recruit and train Unified Sports leaders at all levels of the movement, providing them with tools and training to develop and sustain Unified Sports in their communities; Work together to engage sports leagues and organizations to support the expansion of Unified Sports; Support global marketing campaign plans and activations; Increase Disney & ESPN employee engagement with local Special Olympics programs in key markets. The budget for the event exceeded $15M. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Our university shares the same goals of the Games in transforming lives through inclusion and celebrating each person's greatest ability," Gabel said in a statement. United States of America. 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. The athlete-led podcast wants to know: what does inclusion mean to you? Special Olympics Minnesota athletes and coaches hit the runway Saturday morning to make their way to Orlando for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. [3] Over 8,000 volunteers were needed to make this event run smoothly. Competitions will be held at the University of Minnesota and additional Twin Cities venues. Which cities will host in USA, Canada, Mexico? 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. 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. As we move forward, we need to know youre with us. More than 14,000 people in Minnesota have participated in Polar Plunges since October, raising $4.24 million to help send Minnesota athletes to the Games in Orlando. Minnesota will host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, the governor announced on Friday. In addition, Special Olympics board member and UnitedHealth Group executive Adam Hjerpe will serve as the Board Chair for the Games. The use of the sports complex is part of Disneys multi-faceted support of the Special Olympics movement, which also includes additional sponsorship and in-kind support for the USA Games, Presenting Partner for the Volunteer Program and ESPNs role as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports. In 2026, the Special Olympics USA Games will unite thousands of athletes from across the United States. 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. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minnesota will host the Special Olympics USA Games in June 2026. Her friend and fellow Orono High School student athlete Jenna Perkins is honorary chair of the Twin Cities event. Fax: 612.333.8782. The initiative was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding and is an example of the power of inclusion. Special Olympics serves as the worlds largest sports organization empowering people with intellectual disabilities, and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will mark the largest sporting event in the US that year. August 19, 2021. I always felt most comfortable in sports competition, it was my escape, my first love and a way to prove myself. Hear about Special Olympics impact from around the world. . So the figure should be more like $7 million, said Sanderson, who does economic impact studies on big-ticket sports events. This agreement includes global coverage and distribution of: Following ESPNs unprecedented coverage of Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015, ESPN signed on as the movements Global Broadcast Partner. 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. Unleashing leadership potential in people of all abilities. In June 2026, Minnesota will host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games which will feature 4,000 athletes competing in 19 sports in venues at the University of Minnesota and other premier locations across the Twin Cities. Its somebody there to support you.. Regardless of the level of competition, the timelines and selection process is fairly standard. Pictured above: Special Olympics Minnesota President/CEO Dave Dorn, First Lady Gwen Walz, Special Olympics Minnesota Coach Aimee Libby, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel, Special Olympics Minnesota Athlete Erik Anderson, Special Olympics Minnesota Athlete Peyton Libby, Governor Tim Walz, Special Olympics Minnesota Director of Program Kelly Monicatti, Lt. The Twin Cities hosted the 1991 International Special Olympics, which drew nearly 130,000 fans over seven days of competition in 16 sports. Its a shortness of limbs, Anderson said. 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. The @usa_curl National Championships are underway, We are on location for the next few days at the #s, Pro Bowl Games 2023 Since then, ESPN has added year-round news and feature coverage of Special Olympics, its athletes, community, and culture. Sport competition will be hosted at the University of Minnesota and additional world-class venues throughout the Twin Cities. Its corporate citizenship programs use the power of sport to positively address societys most pressing needs through strategic community investments, cause marketing programs, collaboration with sports organizations and employee volunteerism, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. Thousands of athletes, families and fans will attend the games in June 2026 when the Special Olympics USA Games goes to Minnesota. Local and international year-round sports training and athletic competitions. 3 min read. Tim Walz said in a news release on Friday. "I'm incredibly proud to host this event in Minnesota," Walz said. Sign up to receive the latest news leading up to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Shes looking forward to 2026. Theres no denying it: Clingman is in his element whenever sports are involved. Tim Walz said he is . The Special Olympics began in 1968 to give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to develop athletic skills. Much like other large-scale sporting events, a competitive bid process was conducted to select a host site that has the infrastructure, resources and active community support needed to operate a successful Games. The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games concluded after being held June 5-12, in Orlando, Florida.. World photo/Loren Benoit. Hosting the USA Special Olympics Games emphasizes our commitment to creating a state where everyone can participate in athletic competition and pursue their goals at the highest level.". The games are projected to generate $70 million in economic activity, according to Special Olympics Minnesota. How WWE superstar Becky Lynch found a way to top . Inclusion Revolution Radio episodes drop every other Friday at 10am ET. Orlando, Florida, will host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games from June 5-12. The two are getting ready for this years USA Games in Orlando next month. Gov. Joining Hjerpe on the Executive Board will be Dave Dorn, CEO of Special Olympics Minnesota and Wendy Williams Blackshaw, CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events. 2026 USA Games Logo. South St. Paul author, storyteller and archivist, died Feb. 16 after an accident at home. 00:53. Unlike other sporting events, there is no charge to participate or attend a Special Olympics competition for the competitor . The fifth will take place in Orlando next month. Competition schedule and results for world and regional games. Playing a variety of positions, the 21-year-old says he enjoys wide receiver the most, but he also shines on the defensive side of the ball. Every weekend, he fishes. Thousands of athletes, families and fans will attend the games in June 2026. Jersey Mike's, the presenting sponsor of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, said it raised more than $20 million for the event during its annual Month of Giving in March. 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. Anderson lives independently and has a job with the Special Olympics Minnesota organization. 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.". Hall of Fame. Watch 2026 USA Games video Thousands of athletes, families and fans will attend the games in June 2026 The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place in Minnesota, bringing together athletes, coaches and fans who will showcase inclusion, competition and how to unify the world through sport. The USA Games, which is hosted every four years, will mark the largest multi-sport sporting event in Florida history. "I am proud and excited that Minnesota will host the 2026 USA Special Olympics Games," Gov. 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. Get in touch with us to volunteer, become an athlete, join a Unified Sports team, work as a coach and learn about upcoming events. Coaches are selected through an application process managed by the USA Management Team. 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