Seattle to Host 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
Special Olympics announced Thursday that Seattle, Washington has been selected to host the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, the national games for Special Olympics in the United States. The announcement was made at a press conference at Husky Stadium at the University of Washington.
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will take place July 1-6, 2018. Nearly 3,500 Special Olympics athletes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, 1,000 coaches, 10,000 family members, 10,000 volunteers and an estimated 50,000 spectators will take part in this competition.
On hand to make the announcement were Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Microsoft President and 2018 USA Games Honorary Chair Brad Smith, 2018 USA Games CEO Beth Knox, Special Olympics North America President Marc Edenzon, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Athlete Stacey Johnston, USA Games sponsors and Board of Directors, and local Special Olympics Washington athletes.
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Competition in 16 Olympic-type individual and team sports, as well as special events, will be hosted at venues throughout Seattle and the King County area, including Husky Stadium at the University of Washington, which will serve as the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
In addition to sports competition, special events, celebrity involvement, and the pageantry of Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the 2018 USA Games will also showcase Special Olympics’ work in promoting health, programming in schools, inclusive community-building, and more.
The USA Games will be a highlight of Special Olympics’ global 50th Anniversary celebration in 2018.
The Special Olympics USA Games are held every four years. Previous Games were held in Mercer County, New Jersey in 2014, Lincoln, Nebraska in 2010 and Ames, Iowa in 2006.
