On a cold mid-February afternoon, I hurried into Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, breathing in warm relief as I stepped into the entryway. An unfamiliar face nodded at me, arm outstretched—a warm smile and teary eyes met mine.
I shook hands with Christy Sovereign, CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which will be held next summer in the Twin Cities. Instantly, I knew this wasn’t going to be just a professional conversation: It was going to be personal and heartfelt—and deeply rooted in Sovereign’s own life.
For over 40 years, Sovereign has been a part of the Special Olympics community—but her connection runs deeper. “It’s a personal journey for me,” she shares, emotion welling in her voice. “My sister, Katie, has been an athlete in Special Olympics for over 40 years, and our entire family has been deeply involved, as coaches, volunteers, and super fans.”
Courtesy of Christy Sovereign
Sovereign also brings decades of business acumen to her role as CEO. She is as an executive at Accenture, and she is deeply committed to the Twin Cities community and giving back, actively serving on the boards of Greater MSP, the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, and the Minnesota Business Partnership. She has been a coach, Unified Partner (competing alongside Special Olympics athletes), and a board member of Special Olympics Minnesota. Now, she’s using all that experience to make the 2026 Games truly transformative.
For Sovereign, this event is so much more than just a series of competitions. It’s a chance to create lasting change. She’s not only working to deliver a world-class experience for athletes, volunteers, and spectators, but also to leave behind a legacy of inclusion that will affect Minnesota for generations.
When the USA Games come to the Twin Cities, they will shine a light on the talents of people with intellectual disabilities, drawing athletes from all 50 states, Canada, and the Caribbean to compete in 16 different sports. And it’s not just about the Games themselves—it’s about a movement, one that highlights the importance of unified sports in schools, the need for better health and wellness for all, and the push for more employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.
As we sat in arena’s bleachers, Sovereign opened up about the planning process, the partnerships that are making this event happen, and the personal connection she feels to the Special Olympics community. With Sovereign leading the charge, one thing is clear—she’s doing it with all her heart.
Photo by Jenn Ackerman + Tim Gruber
How did you get involved in organizing the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games?
My involvement began in 2019 when I heard that Minnesota was bidding for the event. As an alumna of the Special Olympics Minnesota Board, I helped connect the bid team with Minnesota Sports and Events and the Carlson School of Management. At the time, I was also working at Accenture, and when Minnesota made the final shortlist in 2021, I was approached to help with leadership and board members for the local organizing committee. I’m in a unique position because Accenture loaned me out to lead this effort, blending my professional career with my personal passion for Special Olympics.
Tell us more about the Games.
There will be 16 Olympic-style sports competitions. Ten will take place at the University of Minnesota, and six will take place in Blaine, with five of them at the National Sports Center campus and one at another nearby facility. There will be 24 special events throughout the week. Key events include the opening and closing ceremonies and various events honoring the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics. Plus, a major unified sports competition will be held at Allianz Field, showcasing professional unified soccer teams. This event will highlight the caliber of unified sports and put them at center stage.
What do you mean by unified sports?
Unified sports bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete together. It’s a fast-growing segment of Special Olympics and is crucial for inclusion. For example, in unified volleyball, nondisabled athletes can assist by hitting every other shot in the game, which enhances team dynamics and competition.
How many volunteers will be needed for the event?
We anticipate requiring around 20,000 volunteers for the event. Of these, about 20% will be health practitioners, supporting the health screenings under the Healthy Athletes program. Volunteers will be crucial not only for supporting the sports competitions but also for running various other activities and ensuring the smooth operation of the event, from logistics to fan experiences.
What role does health and wellness play in the mission of Special Olympics?
A key focus for Special Olympics is health and wellness. People with intellectual disabilities have a life expectancy 16 years shorter than those without intellectual disabilities, often due to a lack of access to general health screenings. At the 2026 Games, we will provide free health screenings in seven different areas, including hearing, vision, and dental care, under the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program. This is a crucial aspect of improving the lives of athletes and addressing health disparities.
What is athlete leadership, and why is it important?
Photo by Jenn Ackerman + Tim Gruber
Athlete leadership focuses on training athletes off the field to develop the skills they need to thrive in the workplace and their communities. Currently, only 18.5% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed at a level commensurate with their abilities, compared to 70% of people without disabilities. This highlights a significant issue of underemployment, and through the Games, we aim to raise awareness and use the platform to drive positive change and increase employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
How do you hope the local community will engage with the Games and contribute to their success?
I want the community to feel personally invested in the event. The single biggest way we will leave a lasting legacy is by engaging the community. Whether people attend the opening ceremonies or visit the fan zone, I believe they will be transformed by the experience. Seeing the athletes’ joy and athleticism, and witnessing how they overcome limitations, is life-changing. Our goal is to bring people together, not just as spectators but as champions of inclusion, and I’m confident this will lead to greater involvement in Special Olympics and a lasting impact on the community.
Why do you think it’s important to educate the public about Special Olympics beyond just the event itself?
Education is a key part of the experience. While Special Olympics is a well-known brand, many people may not fully understand the impact the event has or the significance of the mission. We want to educate the public about the positive change the Games can bring to the community and how they can be part of that change. This is not just an event for a specific community, but for everyone in Minnesota. The experience will be transformative, and we want to make sure people feel connected to it and understand the deeper impact it can have. Just like with the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis, where so many people felt part of the event even if they didn’t have a ticket, we want to recreate that magic at the fan zones and make sure everyone feels like they are championing inclusion.
“Seeing the athletes’ joy and athleticism, and witnessing how they overcome limitations, is life–changing.”
–Christy Sovereign, CEO, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
What impact do you hope the 2026 Special Olympics Games will leave on future generations?
The 2026 Special Olympics Games aim to create lasting change in health and wellness, youth inclusion, and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The event will spotlight health disparities, promote inclusive education, and collaborate with corporate partners to create pathways to meaningful employment for athletes. Minnesota, already a leader in unified schools, will further the movement for inclusion and reduce stigma. While the Games are expected to have an economic impact of $75-$100 million, the true legacy lies in fostering a culture of inclusivity, supporting healthy lifestyles, and opening doors for employment. Ultimately, we hope the Games inspire long-term positive change that will benefit Minnesota’s community for generations to come.
How do you plan to keep the excitement going even after the Games are over?
We plan to continue driving engagement with the community by providing opportunities for people to volunteer, donate, and stay involved in Special Olympics—we hope to keep the momentum going. The Games will be a catalyst for long-term change, and the legacy we leave will be about sustained involvement in supporting athletes and promoting inclusion. It’s not just about the event itself; it’s about making this a movement that continues to grow and positively impact the community.
Courtesy of Christy Sovereign
Counting Down
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will launch “Countdown to Champions” this June, marking the “one year out” as symbols of the Games. The campaign will showcase inspiring athlete stories, an engaging “Cheer Like a Champion” digital campaign, and gold light-up landmarks across the Twin Cities as a symbol of inclusion and gold medal athleticism. To celebrate the unifying spirit of the Games and the “Calling All Champions” brand theme, a “Countdown to Champions” ceremony will be held on June 20, 2025, at the University of Minnesota, supported by Team Minnesota athletes and other dignitaries.
