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 send 43 athletes to the 2010 Games. Kentucky athletes will compete in bowling, basketball, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, softball, swimming and track and field. The team is expected to be officially named in late September-early October. Athletes qualified to be named to Team Kentucky by winning a Gold Medal in their sport in the most recently held State Competition. The Team Kentucky coaching staff will be made up of between 15 and 20 volunteers and staff members.

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.

The cost to send Team Kentucky to the National Games is expected to top $60,000 ($1,500 per athlete). For more information about the 2010 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.