2018 USA Games

FOLLOW TEAM WISCONSIN’S JOURNEY

The Games

Every four years, Special Olympics athletes from all over the United States compete in the Special Olympics USA Games. Now, in its fourth running, the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle, Washington July 1-6, 2018. More than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing 50 state Programs and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports. Competition will be offered in both traditional and Unified play, tapping into communities to support and play alongside our athletes.

The 2018 USA Games will serve as a catalyst for the City of Inclusion initiative and will showcase the work Seattle area businesses and organizations are doing to create a community where people with intellectual disabilities are meaningfully and fully welcome and valued.

Wisconsin will be sending 49 athletes and 5 Unified partners along with 19 coaches to compete in 6 of the 14 sports being played at these Games.

SOWI Athlete Daina Shilts as ESPN Analyst

Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete Daina Shilts will make her debut with ESPN as the Special Olympics Analyst throughout the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games from Seattle. Daina’s and ESPN’s coverage of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle will begin July 1 with a live two-and-a-half hour special on ABC capturing the inspiration, pageantry, performances and special guests of the USA Games Opening Ceremony. Daina will then report live from athletic venues throughout Seattle from July 2-6 as 3,500 competitors from across the country and the District of Columbia participate in the premier national sports event for Special Olympics programs in the United States.