06/29/2026
We showed up and did our thing! Most of our team set PR's in their events! Athletics has one of the harder schedules at the games. We are up early to get breakfast before reporting to the track between 8-9 daily. Some days we were done by 1, other days it was closer to 5. Then there's trying to get in the fun stuff! Seeing reporting was a highlight!
Our athletes attended the healthy athletes program where they were given various health screenings! Gavin got an extra set of hearing aids, while Olivia and Rylee were able to pick out their own frames and get new glasses. All our athletes were fitted for new sneakers and given custom inserts. We also had dental screenings and overall wellness screenings.
We attended fan fest where we met , and had the opportunity to talk with vendors about future careers, win fun prizes and collect more pins and sunglasses!
We had some family time! Some of our athletes got to the Mall of America, others attended family movie night where they got to see Toy Story 5!
The biggest take away is that no matter what your story is, you are still writing it! We saw people fall out steps from the finish, get up, cross over, and smile and hug. We saw people beat the odds and win. I have always been a fan of the special Olympics, but this has cemented it deeper into my soul.
Thank you to this team for your hard work and dedication, not only to your sport, but to each other. You embodied what it means to truly be unified. You trained and competed together for the last 2 years, your bond can't be matched.
