Community Impact

Marquel Russell stands near the starting line and does a box jump to relax his muscles. He closes his eyes and lets his body loosen up. It’s important that his body is loose, and his mind is focused so he can get the most out of his run. It’s just seconds before the 100m final at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. He sinks into the starting blocks and ignores all the external factors; it’s just him and the track. He says of the start, “I listen to that boom, then shoo, I go off.”

It was a beautiful evening at Huntington Bank Stadium. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, hosted at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center, have just concluded.

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.

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.