Packed stands and roaring fans create an unforgettable atmosphere, propelling Special Olympics swimmers to their personal bests.
The swimming action at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is delivering high-energy competition as athletes achieve remarkable personal milestones. Held at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the University of Minnesota campus, the aquatic events feature more than 200 athletes competing on a 25-yard short course across multiple stroke categories and distances.
The event schedule features freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and medley relays, with competitors grouped by age, gender, and ability levels to ensure balanced, competitive heats.
Inside the arena, stands overflow with vibrant pom-poms, encouraging signs, and official blue “Calling All Champions” rally towels. Fans transform the stadium into an electric celebration, and true to Special Olympics tradition, this roaring applause never fades; cheers continue until the final swimmer touches the wall.
For those watching at home, the excitement continues live on ESPN+ with dedicated daily streaming coverage following the athletes through the remaining preliminary rounds and final sessions. Beyond the pool, viewers can also catch live coverage of other competitions happening across the Games.
Meet Team Wyoming: Purpose on the Pool Deck
Behind every high-energy race, there are the deeply personal stories of those on the pool deck. Here is a profile of one dedicated coach and one remarkable athlete from Team Wyoming who embody the true spirit of the Special Olympics USA Games.
Head Coach Kim Corbin
When USA Games News caught up with Team Wyoming swimming coach Kim Corbin on the pool deck, she was already speaking with a hoarse voice from passionately cheering for Kayla, Heather Costello, Ella Coughlin, and Chloe Laumann as they competed to complete Team Wyoming’s four-swimmer roster.
Kim travels to the USA Games from Buffalo, Wyoming, nestled at the scenic foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, where she began coaching with the Special Olympics in 2011.
While her coaching experience spans multiple sports, she holds a deep, personal connection to the aquatics program. Even though she was never a competitive swimmer herself, her leadership stems from a desire to create opportunities for others. When there was no competitive swimming program in her community, Kim explains, “I have always loved the water, and in our area swimming wasn’t offered, so I thought, I’m gonna offer it.”
Now guiding her team on the national stage, Kim uses her platform to ensure her athletes can fearlessly chase their dreams and gave a special shout-out to “all our families and friends who support our teams.”
Athlete Kayla Siebersma
Special Olympics swimmer Kayla Siebersma is from Worland, located in Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin. Now 26 years old, she was an avid swimmer from a young age, consistently encouraged by swim instructors and coaches to take her skills in the water further. In her mid-20s, she did exactly that, finding her true athletic home in the Special Olympics community.
For Kayla, that unique community spirit is what sets this national stage apart from any other competition. “The atmosphere with Special Olympics is so different,” she notes. “Everyone’s so much more welcoming, so much more just nice and present and understanding, and everyone’s just wanting to be there for you. We’re like a big family, and we all support each other.”
Outside of swimming, Kayla loves the splendor of Wyoming’s outdoors, spending her free time hunting deer and elk, or fishing the local rivers and lakes. No matter how the races finish, Kayla and her family already have an ultimate victory celebration planned for her return home, with the athlete joyfully noting, “I’m getting a cat when I get back after [USA Games] nationals.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone considering becoming a Special Olympics athlete, Kayla shares this message of encouragement: “You never know unless you try. Anything is possible, and if I’m standing here today, I’m living proof that anything is possible.”
Congratulations to Kayla, Kim, and Team Wyoming for representing The Equality State with immense purpose and grit! As they head back to the high country carrying new personal bests, their Special Olympics USA Games spirit remains Forever West.