A dynamic force in the sports commissions landscape, Wendy Blackshaw serves as the President/CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events and as a valued 2026 USA Games Board Member. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Wendy was a part of the bid team that created the original proposal in 2020 to bring the USA Games to the Twin Cities. She would later meet the team from Special Olympics Minnesota and fall in love with the movement.
My hopes and dreams for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are to leverage the event as a powerful platform for eliminating discrimination and celebrating the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Looking ahead to 2026, Wendy’s aspirations align with the foundational goals set from the beginning: to leverage the Games as a powerful platform for eliminating discrimination and celebrating the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Wendy now stands as a dedicated advocate for Special Olympics–as well as their newest powerlifting fan–utilizing her influence to propel the movement forward with a vision of inclusivity, empowerment, and positive change.