Can you feel it? 

We’re exactly SIX MONTHS out from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games!! In just half a year, thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) will walk into stadiums, gymnasiums, pools, courts, and fields across the twin cities to show the country (and world!) what determination really looks like.

Right now, athletes are doing the work. As they train and prepare, this is the stretch where everything comes together. When the excitement builds, the butterflies kick in, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete on the national stage suddenly feels REAL.

To mark six months until the USA Games, will you add your name to our Good Luck card and cheer on every incredible athlete who is headed to the Games to represent their states and communities? 

The USA Games only come every four years, and they are so unforgettable because of the people at the center of them – most importantly, the athletes. Let me introduce you to three inspiring athletes training for the Games…

🇺🇸 KARA • North Carolina • Tennis
Kara has been competing since she was 16, but 2026 is the moment she’s been dreaming about! She’s earned top finishes across North Carolina and Virginia. She even once hit tennis balls with Carlos Alcaraz – and held her own. Minnesota will be her first USA Games, and she is so ready for it.

🇺🇸 GABRIELLE • New Jersey • Volleyball
Gabrielle is the definition of “all in.” She has played nearly every Special Olympics sport possible, made friends everywhere she goes, and always shows up ready to compete. Volleyball is her USA Games sport this time, and she’s proud to wear New Jersey across her back.

🇺🇸 LUCY • Minnesota • Gymnastics
For Lucy, Special Olympics is home. It’s where she grew confident, met friends who feel like family, and discovered what she’s capable of, on the uneven bars and off. The USA Games have been her dream for a long time – she’s earned this moment!

Knowing that supporters like you are rooting for them gives athletes like Kara, Gabrielle, and Lucy something powerful to carry into every practice. It’s a reminder that they aren’t doing this alone. Sign our Good Luck card today!

Keep bringing that USA Games energy! 

Cailey Doran
Director, Digital Marketing