Central Oregon athletes gear up for Special Olympics USA Games
Spencer Sacks
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon athletes are preparing to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, following a send-off celebration recently held in Redmond. Team Oregon qualified for the national competition by winning the 2024 state championship. The games are scheduled from the 20th through the 26th of this month.
The send-off event in Redmond gathered community members, law enforcement and local officials to celebrate more than a dozen athletes and their families heading to the games.
More than a dozen athletes, accompanied by their families, will join a larger delegation for the Special Olympics USA Games. The event will bring together more than 3,000 athletes and thousands of volunteers and fans, all participating to celebrate sports and inclusion.
The send-off party took place at the Comfort Suites in Redmond. During the event, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was present, allowing athletes to learn about the vehicles and equipment used daily by the sheriffs.
Christian Schoen, a forward for the High Desert Devils, expressed his appreciation for the community’s support. “Oh, I love it. The community, the sheriff’s department, police, fire trucks. I’ve never seen so much love for Special Olympics. It’s crazy,” Schoen said.
Lt. Jay Minton of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office shared his perspective on supporting the athletes. “I know it fills my heart to see them excited to go do what they’ve trained to do. And then also just to be here to to support them and see them off. So it just fills my heart,” Minton said.
The community showed up for the athletes, with attendees including family, friends, the Redmond Fire Department and local officials. Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch and Councilwoman Kathryn Osborne also shared words of support with the athletes.
Coach Josh Nordell of the High Desert Devils, who also works as a special education teacher in Sisters, spoke about the deep bonds within the team. Nordell noted that many of the athletes have known each other for decades since high school.
“What’s remarkable about a lot of these athletes is that we serve them in our local high schools. I’m a special ed teacher in Sisters and we’ve known a lot of these athletes have known each other for over decades, like and now they’re adults. And to see them come together and be a group for multiple years as a result of winning the state championship in 2024. And now to go to the USA games. What an honor,” Nordell said.
KTVZ news will provide updates throughout the Special Olympics USA Games.