The third Special Olympics USA National Games are scheduled for June 13-21, 2014 in Princeton, NJ. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Prudential Center -- the home of the New Jersey Devils of the NHL -- which will host the Games' Opening Ceremonies.

The 2014 National Games are expected to bring together 3,500 athletes who will compete in 14 sports. They will be the first of the three USA National Games events to be held outside the Midwest (Ames, Iowa - 2006 and Lincoln, Neb. - 2010).

In addition to the athletes, the Games will include 1,000 coaches and 8,000 volunteers.

Non-competitive special events will include the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® that will symbolize the start of the competition and Healthy Athletes, a place where the athletes can get vital health screenings. Youth and education events will also be held in conjunction with the Games as young leaders rally around making change for the better of the Special Olympics Movement and promoting acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics will hold just the second USA National Games in the program's history when athletes from around the United States converge on Lincoln, Neb., for a week of competition and celebration. The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games will be held July 18-23 on the University of Nebraska Campus and will bring together more than 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Special Olympics Kentucky will sent 43 athletes to the 2010 Games, July 10-23 in Lincoln, Neb. Kentucky athletes represented the state well in bowling, basketball, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, softball, swimming and track and field, winning 34 medals.

July 3-8, 2006 marked an historic week for Special Olympics in the United States when the first Special Olympics U.S. National Games in the program's history was held in Ames, Iowa. More than 4,000 athletes including 42 from Kentucky met for those games. Matt Minning of Taylor Mill became the first gold medallist in National Games history when he received his medal for the 10,000 meters from Special Olympics, Inc. Chair Tim Shriver. In all, Kentucky athletes claimed 42 medals, including 19 Gold at those Games.

For more information about the 2014 Special Olympics USA National Games or to find out how you can support Team Kentucky, please contact Special Olympics Executive Vice President Trish Mazzoni at 800-633-7403 or 502-695-8222 or via e-mail at tmazzoni@soky.org.