From SPECIAL OLYMPICS OHIO
Special Olympics Ohio welcomes athletes, families, coaches, volunteers, and fans from across the state to Columbus for the 2026 State Summer Games, the organization’s largest state-level sporting event of the year, taking place May 29 – 31, on the campus of Ohio State University.
This year’s State Summer Games will bring together more than 2,400 athletes and unified partners, representing 88 local, community-based Special Olympics programs from across Ohio. They will be supported by 600 coaches and approximately 1,000 volunteers who make this signature event possible.
Athletes will compete in a range of traditional and unified sports competitions, including athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, power lifting, tennis, and volleyball throughout the weekend. In addition to competition, athletes will have access to free health screenings and education through Health Athletes, a program that not only supports athletes but also provides healthcare students and professionals with training in best practices for caring for and communicating with people with intellectual disabilities. This year also marks the launch of EmpowerHER, a new program supporting female Special Olympics athletes with health education and essential women’s health supplies.
The opening ceremony will officially kick-off the games on Friday, May 29, featuring the Parade of Athletes, special guests, and the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which will bring the Flame of Hope into the stadium to ignite the cauldron and officially begin competition.
“The State Summer Games are one of the most meaningful weekends of the year for all of us at Special Olympics Ohio,” said Jessica Stewart, president and CEO of Special Olympics Ohio. “For our athletes, this is the moment they’ve been working toward – months of training, perseverance, and courage all coming together. Seeing athletes from every corner of Ohio arrive ready to compete, support one another, and celebrate who they are is incredibly powerful. We are deeply grateful to the coaches, volunteers, partners, and families who make this experience possible, and we invite our community to join us in cheering on these remarkable athletes. Every year, they remind us of what inclusion, determination, and joy truly look like.”
Special Olympics Ohio extends its appreciation to Ohio State University, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as presenting partner, Wells Fargo Advisors as associate presenting partner, and the corporate, community, and Law Enforcement Torch Run partners whose support helps ensure a memorable and meaningful experience for every athlete.
