🏆 Congratulations to Braden Jenkins, named the 2026 Special Olympics Tennessee Alan Bolick Athlete of the Year! We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and grateful for the impact Braden continues to make across the Special Olympics Tennessee movement.

The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend at Special Olympics Tennessee's State Summer Games! We especially need volunteers on Sunday, May 17, to help make the event a success for our athletes. Find a volunteer opportunity: bit.ly/4tQYKRw #Nashville #Volunteer

🔥 The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend at State Summer Games, presented by Jersey Mike's Subs! We especially need volunteers on Sunday, May 17, to help make the event a success for our athletes. Come be part of a weekend where champions shine. Volunteer: bit.ly/4tQYKRw

All five episodes of the inaugural season of the Champions Among Us podcast, presented by Amazon, are streaming on Apple Podcasts. Listen to incredible conversations featuring Special Olympics Tennessee athletes and incredible guests. Listen and subscribe: apple.co/4vVLflb

Meet Andrew Kennedy of our Southeast Region. Andrew will be representing Team Tennessee at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games this summer through the Youth Leadership Experience. Support Andrew and meet the rest of Team Tennessee: www.specialolympicstn.org/teamtennessee

Meet Patricia Kostiw of Nashville. Patricia will be representing Team Tennessee in powerlifting at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games this summer. Support Patricia on her journey to Minnesota: pro.gofundme.com/team/772702 Learn more about Team Tennessee: www.specialolympicstn.org/teamtennessee

Meet Michele Loebl of Special Olympics of Greater Memphis, who will represent Team Tennessee in golf at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! You can support Michele on her journey to USA Games here: pro.gofundme.com/team/772715 Meet Team Tennessee: www.specialolympicstn.org/teamtennessee

Make it more than a dream. Be part of the 900+ volunteers helping bring the 2026 State Summer Games, presented by Jersey Mike's Subs, to life. Explore the full list of opportunities here: bit.ly/4dKxBdU

Every athlete’s story matters. Every voice belongs. On World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate athletes on the autism spectrum who inspire us through their determination, passion, and joy of sport. Inclusion starts with understanding—and grows through action. #WorldAutismAwarenessDay

“Watching someone overcome fear… that’s the coolest thing.” Moments like these are what Train 4 Life™ is all about—building confidence that goes far beyond the gym. Read the story: www.specialolympicstn.org/News/the-mom...

Congratulations to Team Tennessee on an incredible run at the Special Olympics North America Unified Bowling Tournament in Reno! Our athletes and Unified partners are coming home with a few medals. Congratulations!

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women representing Team Tennessee on the road to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Join us in celebrating the women of Team Tennessee who continue to prove that champions are built through courage, perseverance, & heart. #IWD2026

The contracts are signed, and we officially have the 2026 @nashvillesc.bsky.social Unified Team ready to hit the pitch! The team will have two home matches this season: May 17, following NSC vs LAFC, and August 15, following NSC vs Inter Miami. #EveryoneN

With State Basketball taking place this weekend, teams from Middle Tennessee recently competed in their regional event to prepare for the big show. Read more here. www.specialolympicstn.org/road-to-stat...

Coming soon! March is Jersey Mike's Subs Month of Giving! Stop by your local Jersey Mike’s, make a donation, and help support Team Tennessee as they prepare to compete at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Meet Amanda Springer of Hawkins & Sullivan Co, who will be a member of Team Tennessee representing Unified Bocce at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! You can support Amanda in journey to USA Games here: bit.ly/4aQs1DF #SpecialOlympics

Our Junior Athletes program has taken off thanks to STARS Basketball Club and our weekly basketball clinic. Our athletes are ready to showcase their skills at State Basketball in two weeks.

The inaugural episode of the Champions Among Us podcast launches tomorrow at Noon Central Time! This episode will feature Williamson County athlete Braden Jenkins & Tennessee Titans punter Johnny Hekker. Watch here or on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/DqwtW5b2XMg

PopStroke Entertainment Group Nashville is hosting a Giveback Event to benefit Special Olympics Tennessee athletes on March 3! Stop by, play a round, and mention SOTN at checkout. On March 3, 20% of all golf pass sales will be donated to support athletes across Tennessee.

Thank you to the Holiday Inn Nashville Vanderbilt for their continued support of our athletes! Special Olympics Tennessee athletes were presented with a check during a recent Vanderbilt University basketball game.

Time to meet Christian Chappell of Special Olympics Nashville! Christian will join Team Tennessee to compete in Athletics at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Let's hear it for Christian! You can support him on his journey to USA Games here: bit.ly/4aMVFL9 #CallingAllChampions

We can think of 6 or 7 reasons why it's important for our athletes and Unified partners to advocate for their peers during #SOHillDay. 😉

Our crew for Capitol Hill Day has safely arrived in Washington, D.C. Our delegation includes athlete Josh York, Unified partner David Ankarlo and teacher Jennifer Cain of Northview Senior Academy, plus Beth Teegarden and Natalee Kamau of SOTN. This trip was Josh's first-ever flight!

Let's continue to meet Team Tennessee for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! Meet Charlie Watson of Greater Knoxville. Click here to donate and support Charlie: www.classy.org/team/772737

We’ve launched a new Volunteer Portal, and getting involved has never been easier. Whether you want to cheer on athletes, help at events, or lend your skills behind the scenes, this is your one-stop hub to sign up, stay connected, and make an impact across the state. 👉 portals.specialolympics.org

Thank you to PopStroke Nashville for inviting our staff to today's ribbon-cutting ceremony and for the opportunity to experience the amazing facility. We look forward to hosting future athletic and fundraising events with you!

Special Olympics Tennessee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 State Winter Games due to the severe winter storm forecast to impact East TN & a growing number of delegations withdrawing travel plans in the interest of safety. www.specialolympicstn.org/News/special...

We're getting closer! Only three days until the 2026 State Winter Games presented by Wellpoint Tennessee, with the Lifepoint Health Opening Ceremonies at the Gatlinburg Convention Center! Volunteer here: vhub.at/26wintergames

We're excited to see you this weekend! Only four days until we kick off State Winter Games presented by Wellpoint Tennessee with the Lifepoint Health Opening Ceremonies! Who's ready to hit the slopes or the ice at Ober Mountain? Want to get involved? Volunteer here: vhub.at/26wintergames

Winter Games Need You! The 2026 Special Olympics Tennessee State Winter Games have been rescheduled for Feb 1–3 due to the winter storm. We urgently need volunteers to make this inspiring event a success for our athletes. Sign up now and be part of something meaningful: vhub.at/26wintergames

State Winter Games, presented by Wellpoint Tennessee, have been rescheduled to February 1 to 3, 2026, in Gatlinburg. We're excited to see our athletes, partners, coaches and volunteers beginning next weekend! More info: www.specialolympicstn.org/wintergames

Special Olympics Tennessee has decided to postpone the State Winter Games, originally scheduled for January 25 to 27, 2026, due to an impending winter storm. We are actively exploring rescheduling portions of the competition to a later date. www.specialolympicstn.org/News/special...

Team Tennessee is ready to take on the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games this summer. Click below to meet the delegation. www.specialolympicstn.org/teamtennessee

Start the countdown – the 2034 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Nashville! We’re honored to welcome this event and athletes to Music City @specialolympicstn.bsky.social

Beginning tomorrow, Friday, January 9, through Friday, January 16, you can support Special Olympics Tennessee athletes like Gregory by donating at Publix when you check out. Gregory is a Publix employee and as an athlete, he represents Nashville while competing in basketball with the Commodores.

Go Madisun go! Madisun Rosier recently completed her speedskating divisioning at World Games. Tomorrow, she'll compete as a representative of Special Olympics USA! If you're a night owl, you can watch the speedskating competition streaming live on ESPN+/ESPN3 beginning at 2:30 a.m. Central Time.

Thanks to NewsChannel 5 Nashville for following along for a portion of today's site visit for our 2030 Special Olympics USA Games bid. Hear from athlete Halladay White and Director of Marketing and Communications Justin Bradford.

Tune in at 10:00 a.m. Central Time for a joint press conference with Special Olympics Tennessee and Vanderbilt University regarding the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games. www.youtube.com/live/tK4BK74...

The Flame of Hope has arrived at Gatlinburg Convention Center thanks to the Tennessee Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, and we're ready for our State Winter Games presented by Wellpoint Tennessee to begin! Photos by Michael King

Highlights from the Cheatham County Polar Plunge. Thank you for supporting our athletes in Cheatham County! #PolarPlunge

Happy World Snow Day! We can't wait to hit the slopes at Ober Mountain next for State Winter Games presented by Wellpoint Tennessee!

The Upper Middle Tennessee Bowling Sectional for Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Unified Bowling occurred today in Clarksville. Congratulations to Kenwood on its first-place finish & Wilson Central & Station Camp on their second and third-place finishes, respectively.

Our 2025 Ins and Outs for our athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters. Let's make it an incredible year! #insandouts

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for supporting Area 32 Special Olympics Tennessee - Hawkins & Sullivan Co! Click to watch the video from the check presentation courtesy of WJHL. www.wjhl.com/news/local/a...

Want to participate in something you'll never forget while also making an incredible impact on your community of Special Olympics athletes? Register, fundraise and participate in a Polar Plunge. This season, there are plunges across the state in January & February. Learn more: www.polarplungetn.com

Yesterday, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis hosted athletes from Maury County for a shopping spree at DICK'S Sporting Goods in Cool Springs to celebrate the holidays. We appreciate Will's continued support of our athletes and his willingness to build lasting relationships with them.

Congratulations to Rockwood High School on becoming a Unified Champion School! By becoming a Unified Champion School, RHS is dedicated to creating school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in all activities, opportunities and functions.

This evening, NFL alum Vince Biegel, his wife Sarah and their family spent time with athletes from Cheatham, Davidson, Williamson and Wilson Counties to give them a memorable holiday celebration. Thank you for the wonderful gifts and the time you took to make each athlete's evening.

Congratulations to Ocoee Middle School on becoming Bradley County School's first Special Olympics Unified Champion School! Thank you for your dedication to inclusion and creating a culture where every student feels valued and connected. #UnifiedChampionSchools

At this week's Board of Directors meeting, Ben Storey of Harpeth Middle School shared what Special Olympics & Unified Champion Schools mean to him. He was joined by his teacher, Abby Dodson, his principal, Dr. Audra Williams and Cheatham County Director of Schools & SOTN Board Member Dr. Cathy Beck.