Now in its 53rd year, Special Olympics Oregon will host its Summer State Games at Oregon State University and surrounding venues in Corvallis and Albany starting this weekend.
The event will bring together more than 1,200 athletes with intellectual disabilities from across Oregon to compete in track & field, softball, golf and bocce—showcasing inclusion, determination, and camaraderie.
But there is more to it than that. The athletes participating in this year’s Summer State Games will also be competing for their spot in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.
Outside the competitive aspects of the games, the Special Olympics Oregon athletes will also enjoy an Olympic Town and marquee weekend of ceremonies, games, and a dance. There’s even a Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Friday, July 11th is team arrival day, with competitions and special events taking place throughout Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th.
This year also comes some anticipation of things to come. During the Games Ceremonies event on Saturday night, Special Olympics Oregon partners, Nike, will be attending to announce an exciting announcement that will impact even more Special Olympics athletes across the globe. This announcement will be at 7:30 pm on Saturday July 12th. A parade of athletes will take place just before this announcement.
All events are free and open to the public. Families, friends, and community members are invited to attend—food, music, and family-friendly fun included.
Volunteers are needed and critical to the athlete’s experience at Summer State Games!
Special Olympics Oregon has been actively recruiting over 1,000 day-of-event volunteers, and they still have some slots to fill. Volunteer roles include game operational support such as scorekeeping, staging, timers, announcers, and helping with awards, results, etc., for golf, softball, bocce, and athletic competitions. Volunteers are also needed in a variety of event logistics and administrative roles with half-day and full-day shift options, and opportunities for groups. Volunteer registration information can be found here.
What they’re saying
“The announcement of the return of Summer State Games has been met with great enthusiasm. We are so excited to be partnering with Oregon State University and others in the Corvallis community to provide this experience for our athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and supporters from across the state. I can’t wait to see everyone gather there. It’s going to feel like a big family reunion,” said Mark Hanken, Chief Operating Officer for Special Olympics Oregon.
Looking back at the games two years ago, former Oregon State University President Ed Ray said, “The SOOR summer Olympic games in Reser Stadium in 2024 were magical and the games are returning this summer. Oregon State University student-athletes led the county delegations into the stadium for the official opening ceremony. Family and friends gathered to watch their athletes compete. Often these people feel isolated and even unwelcome in the broader society but on this wonderful occasion they were joyously part of a caring and loving community
About Special Olympics Oregon
Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 5,000 participants with intellectual disabilities year-round and statewide through its sports programs. Their goals are to help athletes gain self-confidence, social competency, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Learn more at www.soor.org.
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