CONWAY, Ark. – Arkansas will send 68 athletes and 22 coaches to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games this June in Minnesota, where they will face competitors from across the country in 11 sports.
The team, representing Special Olympics Arkansas, includes athletes competing in events ranging from pickleball to swimming. Many of them will be participating in the national games for the first time.
“Our athletes are training very hard to prepare and get ready for Minnesota,” said Irvin Humphrey, director of sports training. “I think we’re going to come home with a lot of — we’ll make a lot of noise in the airport, as we like to say.”
Humphery added he hopes the team returns with so many gold medals “we can’t get on the plane.”
On the pickleball court, Amy Price and her partner Megan say teamwork is their strength.
“We uplift each other, and Megan is my rock,” Price said. “I can just look at Megan’s smiling face and I know we got this.”
Despite their friendly demeanor, Price said they are serious competitors.
“We get to show people we are not pickling around,” she said.
In the pool, first-time national swimmers are preparing for what their coach calls a surreal experience.
“All my swimmers, this is their first year going, and I know it’s going to be so exciting,” said James Winnen, head coach of Team Arkansas Swim.
Swimmer Jai Glann said sportsmanship is just as important as competition.
“Staying positive, being a good sport, and cheering on other teams that are trying to do good — and my team too,” Glann said.
Winnen said coaching has taught him lessons beyond winning.
“Just learn to love life, to appreciate life for what it is, whether we win or we don’t win,” he said.
Each state competing in the USA Games has its own team name. Representing the Natural State, Arkansas will compete as the Arkansas Diamonds.
“I’m so excited to be a diamond, shining bright out there,” Price said.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.