Special Olympics Arizona was represented by more than 130 athletes, partners and coaches at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which was held June 20-26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year the Special Olympics USA Games showcased more than 3,000 athletes from throughout the country competing in front of more than 125,000 spectators and supporters at one of the country’s most cherished sporting events.
SOAZ was represented in 11 sports – Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Cheer, Flag Football, Golf, Powerlifting, Softball, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball. Additionally, one Unified pair (1 athlete and 1 partner from West Pointe High School) participated in the Youth Leadership Experience.
In total, SOAZ left with 42 medals, 2 USA Games records, and endless smiles! See below for the full results:
* As a note, all team sports are counted as 1 medal, although everyone is awarded a medal!
“We are so proud of all of our athletes, partners and coaches who will be representing the state of Arizona at the 2026 USA Games,” said Jamie Heckerman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Arizona. “This is a great stage to not only showcase competition and athletics, but to celebrate all of the dedication and perseverance these athletes display in everyday life. We wish them the best of luck and want them to know that everyone in Arizona is rooting for them.”
The 2026 USA Games will be one of the largest sporting events in the country next year, with athletes competing in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports at key competition sites including the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine.
Youth Leadership Experience
For questions about the selection process, please reach out to Ryan Betcher, Head of Delegation, and Gianna Zola, Assistant Head of Delegation, at usagames@specialolympicsarizona.org.
For media inquiries, please reach out to Tarren Kramer, at tarren@specialolympicsarizona.org.
Find out more about the 2026 USA Games here!
Special Olympics Arizona athletes, partners and coaches made a triumphant return to Arizona following the completion of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, bringing home a total of: 44 medals
Team AZ also brought home lots of smiles and laughter from the week-long competition that brought together more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from throughout the country. We also want to take a moment to recognize our Youth Leadership Experience team, Health Messengers, medical team, and SONA representative team! All members of Team AZ that did not compete for medals at USA Games, but spent their time ensuring that the event was the very best it could be. WHO BRINGS THE HEAT?? WE BRING THE HEAT! GO TEAM AZ!
