Montana athletes prepare for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

MISSOULA, Mt. — Thousands of athletes, coaches and volunteers are preparing to travel to Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which begin June 20 and run through June 26. The Games will bring competitors from all 50 states to the national stage.

Montana will be represented by 25 athletes and 28 volunteers from 18 communities across the state.

Four competitors from Missoula are among those getting ready for the trip. Jared Redeen as a bowling athlete, Jeff Redeen as a Unified partner in bowling, and Coley Stensgar-Maul and Vanessa Canham as golf athletes.

Team Montana athletes will compete in several events, including bocce, golf, gymnastics and bowling. The national competition is expected to bring together thousands of athletes and Unified partners, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and tens of thousands of fans.

For the Montana athletes, the next few weeks will be focused on final practices, travel preparations and the excitement of representing their communities on one of the biggest stages in Special Olympics sports.

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are designed to celebrate athletic competition, inclusion and the achievements of people with intellectual disabilities. For Team Montana, the trip is also a chance to show the work they have put in — and to compete for medals in front of a national crowd.