JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Every four years, Special Olympics North America brings together athletes from all 52 U.S. programs for a national summer games.
This year, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place June 20–26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) will be there competing on the national stage.
Team Missouri will send athletes, coaches, and Unified Partners to Minneapolis to compete in 12 sports: athletics (track and field), basketball, bocce, bowling, flag football, golf, pickleball, powerlifting, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Delegates representing the Show-Me State come from communities across Missouri and have been training hard in preparation for the Games.
The 2026 USA Games will host thousands of delegates from programs across the country, competing at some of the Twin Cities’ top athletic facilities. Athletes and coaches will experience a week of national competition surrounded by Minneapolis’s vibrant culture and world-class attractions.
“These athletes have worked incredibly hard to earn their spot on Team Missouri, and we couldn’t be more proud to send them to Minneapolis to represent our state on the national stage,” said Susan Shaffer, Head of Delegation for Special Olympics Missouri.
Athletes and coaches attending the USA Games from Missouri are listed below with their sport, role, and hometown. If media would like to arrange an interview with an athlete or coach, please contact Zach Paul at zpaul@somo.org. Headshots of each delegate are available by request. If any media outlet would like to use photos or videos on file, please email zpaul@somo.org.
For more information about Team Missouri or the 2026 USA Games, visit somo.org/momagic/ or contact zpaul@somo.org. Sendoff Celebrations Each area of the state will host a sendoff celebration for its athletes before they depart for Minneapolis. Media are invited and encouraged to attend to capture the excitement.
Sendoff Celebrations
Each area of the state will host a sendoff celebration for its athletes before they depart for Minneapolis. Media are invited and encouraged to attend to capture the excitement.
The Southeast Send off Celebration: June 18th 8:00 am
Drury Plaza Hotel (3351 Percy, Cape Girardeau 63701)