Special Olympics Kentucky has selected the team that will represent the state at the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games to be held July 3-8, 2006 in Ames, Iowa. The team will be made up of 42 Special Olympics athletes, two Unified Partners and 17 coaches, with nearly every region of the state represented on the team. The Kentucky team will join 4,000 athletes and 2,000 coaches expected to attend the games.

The Kentucky athletes will compete in Aquatics (swimming), Athletics (track and field), Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics and Softball.

The Games will be the first of their kind ever held in the United States. While National Tournaments have been held in the past in individual sports — most notably bowling and golf — there has never before been a multi-sport USA National Games.

“This is a very exciting new opportunity for both our athletes and our volunteers,” said Special Olympics Kentucky Executive Vice President Trish Mazzoni. "The National Games gives more of our athletes a chance to experience what it’s like to be a part of a big sporting event, to expand their horizons and to have a larger stage on which to demonstrate their abilities and talents."

Meet the Team!
Aquatics
Athletics
Basketball
Bowling
Golf
Gymnastics
Softball
AS Coaches

The cost of sending Team Kentucky to the National Games is expected to excced $60,000. Individuals and companies wishing to help sponsor Team Kentucky's trip to the Games should contact Kelly Hutchinson at 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at khutchinson@soky.org.