Missouri Valley to Minnesota: Athletes bound for Special Olympics USA Games

The USTA Missouri Valley will have strong representation at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, as 16 tennis players from the section are competing in the prestigious event that occurs every four years.

The Special Olympics USA Games — which take place June 20-26 in Minnesota — will feature participation from about 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches representing all 50 states. A team of 10,000 volunteers will support the event.

A total of 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports are offered at the games. That includes traditional play and unified play, where individuals with and without intellectual disabilities compete together.

The tennis competition includes singles, doubles and unified doubles divisions. Play will be held at the University of Minnesota’s Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis.

“I’m excited for this incredible and very deserved opportunity our USTA Missouri Valley adapted athletes have qualified for due to their hard work over years and years of competition and practice,” said Jaren Glaser, manager of diversity, equity and inclusion for USTA Missouri Valley.

“We appreciate the support of the athletes’ coaches, parents and their Special Olympics offices to make this opportunity possible for them. We wish them the best of luck as integral members of the USTA Missouri Valley community.”

Glaser noted the Special Olympics USA Games continue an impressive stretch of play opportunities for adapted tennis players in the section.

In addition to Special Olympics state games that took place in May and June, athletes had the opportunity to compete in the USTA Missouri Valley Adapted Tennis Championships and Fred Johnson ALL Stars on June 12-14 in Topeka, Kan.

Wyatt Spalding from Lincoln, Neb., is covering the Special Olympics USA Games for ESPN. Spalding — a Special Olympics Nebraska Hall of Famer — will serve as a contributing reporter for the network’s coverage.

“Growing up, I’d watch SportsCenter every morning before I’d go to school,” Spalding said. “So now to actually be on ESPN is just a dream come true.

“I’ve always loved sports history and learning about other people’s stories through sports. I’m so excited to interview the other athletes and get to hear their story of how they made it to the USA Games.”