Community Impact

It’s a warm, cloudy day at the University of Minnesota Track & Field Stadium. Special Olympics Northern California athlete Patrick Underly is with his team, surrounded by state Programs from across the country. It’s Tuesday, June 22, and it’s a quarter past noon. On the track, Patrick stands near the starting line. It’s his first time at Special Olympics USA Games, and it’s the 400m sprint. He gives it his all, pushing himself to the limit and persevering even when he gets tired. Patrick says with enthusiasm, “I’m more of a sprinter than a distance runner. Especially at the age I'm at right now.”

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are heading into its last day of competition, and so many memories have been made.

Long before the starting whistles sounded and the first medals were awarded, the heart of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games could be found in the stands and on the streets of Minneapolis. Families, friends, teammates, coaches, and volunteers filled arenas, fields, and venues with handmade signs, tears of pride, joyful cheers, and unwavering encouragement. 

It’s mid-week at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, and the competition has been fierce. It’s hot in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but that’s not a concern for athletes who are representing the 52 Programs across the country. They are giving everything they’ve got to compete at the national level.

Christa has spent her career helping people see what’s possible, not just for organizations, but for themselves.

The second day of competition at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games was cut short due to inclement weather, but not before some memorable moments.

On the University of Minnesota campus, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is showcasing 16 sports, and 3,000 athletes from across the country are here to win one thing—gold. But, more than any medal, they want to highlight why inclusion is important and why it’s needed in sports.

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are officially underway, and the competition is now in high gear. Athletes from Programs across the country are now competing in 16 sports across the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center.

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are officially underway in the Twin Cities, and there’s much excitement around town.

It's a crisp, sun-kissed sky in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Just past the plaza entrance of Huntington Bank Stadium, the city skyline sits perfectly in the end zone corner.

Celebrated annually on 11 June, International Day of Play reminds us that play isn’t just fun; it’s an essential part of childhood development. It’s how children build confidence, communication skills, physical coordination, and social-emotional development—laying the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. Early childhood play programs like Special Olympics Young Athletes bring this to life.

Ministry of Population, Social Action and National Solidarity commits to boosting inclusive sport and education in Niger