USA Games

General Information for the Special Olympics 2026 USA Games Swimming Team

Monthly Call Calendar (2nd Monday of Every Month @ 5:30pm Eastern)

Email a coach for the meeting link and details

Monday - December 8th
Monday - January 12th
Monday - February 9th
Monday - March 9th
Monday - April 13th
Monday - May 11th
Monday - June 8th

Training Camps

Saturday - February 7th (at the Rosen Aquatic Center in Orlando from 12pm to 4pm)
Saturday - April 4th (at the Rosen Aquatic Center in Orlando from 12pm to 4pm)
Saturday - May 30th (at the Rosen Aquatic Center in Orlando from 12pm to 4pm)

Travel Information for the USA Games

June 18th (Thursday): Sendoff party (likely at the Aloft Lake Nona)
June 19th (Friday): Fly from Orlando (MCO) to Minneapolis (MSP)
June 20th (Saturday): Opening Ceremonies
June 21st (Sunday): Practice Day
June 22nd - June 26th (Monday to Friday): Swimming Competitions
June 26th (Friday): Closing Ceremonies
June 27th (Saturday): Fly from Minneapolis (MSP) to Orlando (MCO)

Facilities in Minneapolis, MN

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the pool length for the competitions? All swimming events will be in a 25-yard pool (aka short-course yards, SCY)
What is the housing situation? Rooms are collegiate dorms like a suite for four people; dorms are accessible by keycard
How far is the pool from the dorm? The walk from the pool to the dorms is ~15 minutes (just over 0.5 miles)
Are tickets to competition events required? No - tickets are not required to attend competition events, like swimming. All competition events are free to the public and organized on a come-first-seated basis.
Are tickets to Opening Ceremonies required? More information will be coming in the next few months regarding tickets for Opening / Closing Ceremonies. Those tickets will have a fee associated with them but we have not been made aware of what that is just yet.
Do we know the order of swimming events for Monday through Friday? Click this link for a tentative schedule
What are the expectations for swimming suits and caps? Will Special Olympics provide equipment? SOFL will be purchasing both the suits and caps for the athletes and will have the Team Florida logo put on it after they’re ordered.
Athlete Release Forms: fill out this Smartsheet from Special Olympics to request an athlete release and click here for the rules and guidelines regarding athlete releases (all requests must be submitted by March 9th)

Packing List

Real ID for airplane travel
Two pairs of swim suits
Two pairs of swim goggles
Pool deck safe shoes

External Links

Travel Lodging Expectations & Requirements

Email from March 30, 2027

Special Olympics Florida 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Per the 2026 USA Games Athlete Eligibility Form that was completed and signed by each member of Team Florida, the following expectations and requirements are mandatory for all participants.

NOTE: If you have concerns or feel as those anyone cannot meet these requirements, please email teamflorida-usagames@sofl.org immediately as this may impact your teammates.

Eligibility Standards

Commit to the Date of Games & Travel:

June 18th – Travel to Orlando for Team Send-off Party (Aloft Lake Nona)
- Travel arrangements for Team Florida members will be made by Special Olympics Florida.
June 19th – Travel to Minnesota with Team Florida
- All Team Florida members must travel with the team.
- Flights have been arranged for all Team Florida members by Special Olympics Florida.
June 20th – 26th – USA Games: Competition & Special Events
June 27th – Travel to Orlando

Tavel & Lodging Ability:

Team Florida members must be able to travel/lodge away from home for ten days without a parent/guardian or local coach.
- June 19th - All Team Florida members must travel with the team
  - Flights have been arranged for all Team Florida members by Special Olympics Florida
- June 18th – 26th – All Team Florida members must lodge with the team in assigned housing
  - Parents/Guardians will not be permitted in Team Florida and/or USA lodging facilities.
  - Parents/Guardians will not be permitted to stay with their Team Florida members.
  - Team Florida members will not be permitted to stay with their parents/guardians

Travel Commitment:

Team Florida members must be able to commit to traveling with the delegation for the duration of the USA Games.
- All Team Florida members must travel with the team to Minnesota.
  - Flights have been arranged for all Team Florida members by Special Olympics Florida.
- All Team Florida members must travel as a team to all USA Games activities (competition, ceremonies, special events, healthy athletes, etc.)
  - Team Florida members will not be permitted to travel to USA Games activities with their parents/guardians.
  - Parents/guardians will not be permitted to travel on USA Games or Team Florida provided transportation.

Visitations:

For the purposes of this document:

Visits = A visit consists of a pick-up and return of an athlete during the week of June 20-26.
Permanent Release = The release of an Athlete to the parent/guardian, who will not be returning to Orlando with the delegation.

CLICK HERE to access Form

IMPORTANT NOTE: Permanent release requests must have been submitted no later than March 9.

Athletes may not have visits on Saturday, June 20 (the day of the Opening Ceremony) or Friday, June 26 (day of the Closing Ceremony).

Parents/guardians may visit their athlete, who is a delegation member of Special Olympics Florida, at any time that is convenient for the athlete and their coaches.

For the convenience of those involved, Special Olympics Florida requests that these arrangements be made at least 24 hours in advance.

If parents/guardians wish to take their athlete from a Games venue, Special Olympics Florida requires the following procedures to be followed:

Parent/Guardian must complete the release form and receive approval from SOFL staff prior to any visitation and/or release.

Athlete visitations will be limited to a maximum of 4 visits during the week of June 20-26. This is a request we have of family members to allow the athletes to enjoy the overall experience of the Games with their counterparts, while also allowing them to spend time with their families at the Games.
Visitations must be approved by the Sport Head Coach. Head Coaches will collaborate with SOFL staff on approvals based on USA Games Competition and Special Event schedules. Any visitations/releases are contingent upon the athlete NOT having competition (or preparing for competition), as well as not having a scheduled event.
There will be no set time limit for a visitation. However, all visitations must conclude with the athlete’s return to the delegation no later than 9:00 p.m.
The sport Head Coach and the parents/guardians will determine together the best time and place for the athlete to return.

Parents/Guardians may take their athlete home or for extended travel; however, this may not be until after returning from Closing Ceremonies on June 26.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Permanent release requests must have been submitted no later than March 9.

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