The Team Will Meet Next to Fly to Minneapolis
Team Kentucky has completed the pre-USA Games Team Training Camp and has started final preparations for this June’s USA Games in Minneapolis. The training camp was held March 20-22 in Richmond. It was the first and only time that the team will gather in its entirety before the Games.
Training Camp is a very important step in the preparation process for the USA Games. It is designed to simulate the USA Games experience as closely as possible in a short time, giving athletes time to get used to their coaches and teammates. It also gives athletes a chance to get used to being in an unfamiliar environment.
Athletes arrived at the Town Place Suites in Richmond on Friday, March 20, and once everyone was checked in and settled in their rooms, the team was led in team-building games by Youth Leadership Experience participants Olivia Pruitt, Mya Hettler and adult mentor Ondrea Smallwood. The games were a great way for athletes from different parts of the state to get to know one another whether they were part of the same or different sport delegations.
Saturday started early and saw the teams break off on their own for two very important activities – practice and uniform fittings. Every team had a practice either in the morning or the afternoon. All practices took place in Richmond, many at Eastern Kentucky University. Outside of practice, athletes got their first look at Team Kentucky’s new look clothing and their team uniforms.
Following a dinner catered by Special Olympics Kentucky Year-Round Partner Texas Roadhouse, Saturday night included a big surprise. Representatives of Shelbyville-based Shady Rays dropped by to present every member of Team Kentucky with a pair of Shady Rays sunglasses.
As we’ve done at the last two Team Kentucky Training Camps, several athletes who either have never flown or are nervous about flying had the opportunity for a special experience at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington. Longtime SOKY volunteer and Transportation Security Administration agent Pete Perry and fellow agent Adam Roye set up a simulated flight experience. The athletes got an orientation to the airport and went through the entire TSA check-in process. Finally, they were able to board an actual plane thanks to the help of Delta Air Lines.
Athletes who didn’t make the airport trip were once again led in a series of games by our Youth Leadership Experience group. They also voted on the names of Team Kentucky’s three stuffed mascot horses – which ended up being Baller, Speedy and Lady Bronco.
On Sunday, prior to picking up their athletes, parents got the opportunity to meet with Team Kentucky coaches and received general information about the Games.
See Photos from Team Training Camp
The next major event for Team Kentucky will come at Summer Games when the team will be recognized during Opening Ceremonies on June 5. After that, the team will gather in Louisville on Thursday, June 18, before flying out for the Games the next morning.
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place from June 20-26. They will include more than 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches representing all 50 states. The event will be supported by a dedicated team of 10,000 volunteers.
For more information about the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games or about Team Kentucky, contact Holly Vincent at 502-695-8222 or hvincent@soky.org.