Representatives from the Local Organizing Committee and several corporate partners all took the plunge to raise awareness for the Games
MINNEAPOLIS, March 4, 2025 – This weekend, members of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games team braved cold wind advisories and the icy waters of Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis for the annual Polar Plunge! This event served as a powerful platform to raise awareness and build excitement for the USA Games coming to Minnesota next year. The team donned branded, fur onesies as they helped generate excitement for the 2026 USA Games!
“As one of the largest sporting events in the US that year, we’re so honored to bring a celebration of inclusion and achievement to Minnesota,” Board Chair Adam Hjerpe told FOX 9 news, “Thank you to everyone who came out – you are a champion and we’re Calling All Champions to be with us on this journey.”
So many incredible partners joined us in this chilly endeavor and we thank them for their incredible leaps into the water to support the Games! A special thank you to Affinity Plus, Donaldson, Haberman, and Pentair Pool, whose representatives took the Executive Challenge alongside our 2026 USA Games team, showcasing true leadership and community spirit. We also want to recognize the amazing teams from Coca-Cola, Delta Dental, Intersection, Pentair Pool, and Red Baron, who participated in the Corporate Plunge, bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the lake. The support and participation from all these partners are invaluable in making the 2026 USA Games a resounding success. If you want to learn about how to get involved with the Games either as a volunteer, a partner, or something else, click here.
About Special Olympics USA Games
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games—scheduled for June 20-26, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine—is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations. The USA Games, with co-presenting partners Jersey Mike’s Subs and United Healthcare, will be one of the biggest U.S. sporting events of the year, drawing tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the ability of over 3,000 incredible athletes from all 50 states as they compete in 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports. As a state with a long history of championing diversity, equity and inclusion, the USA Games now bring an unrivaled opportunity to spark new energy around the Special Olympics movement and create a lasting legacy of positive change.
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