Athletes are greeted by scores of law officers as they arrive for the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The OC Tigers gather for a team photo prior to taking on the San Diego Dragons in flag football at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Alexander Sanchez of team Fontana acknowledges fans after taking the gold medal in the 1500m at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes are greeted by scores of law officers as the arrive for the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A South Bay runner competes at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners take off in the 400m race at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Westside All-Stars battle the Sea Unicorns from San Diego in basketball at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Westside All-Stars battle the Sea Unicorns from San Diego in basketball at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Bocce is one of the sports played at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Hills Hawks players congratulate their opponents, the Riverside Storm, following a flag football game at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners compete at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The top three finishers in the 1500m race take the podium at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Laguna Hills Hawks running back is tackled by a pair of Riverside Storm defenders in flag football at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A runner for the Laguna Hills Hawks picks up yards against the Riverside Storm in flag football at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Runners start the 1500m race at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A runner nears the finish line in the 1500-meters at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Westside All-Star battles a San Diego Sea Unicorn for a rebound in basketball action at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Westside All-Stars battle the Sea Unicorns from San Diego in basketball at the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
There was high energy and a competitive atmosphere at Cal State Long Beach this weekend as the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games returned, bringing together hundreds of athletes, coaches and supporters for a celebration of sport, determination and inclusion.
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This year’s Special Olympics kicked off on Friday, June 5, 2026 with an opening ceremony at the LSB Financial Credit Union Pyramid, formerly known as as the Walter Pyramid. The ceremony included the official lighting of the cauldron, celebrating the start of the Summer Games.
The event continued with two full days of competition on Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, with athletes from across Southern California participating in track and field, basketball, bocce, unified bocce, flag football, unified flag football and swimming. Unified events, organizers said, encourage teamwork and include athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing together on the same team.
Summer Games celebrate the power of sport and the role it plays in uniting communities and encouraging inclusion among athletes of all abilities.
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“Summer Games reflects the heart of our mission — empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through the life-changing impact of sports,” Kelly Pond, president and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California, said in a statement. “The athletes inspire us every day with their energy, determination, confidence and spirit.”
In addition to the competitions, the Summer Games included a “Healthy Athletes” program, where participants can receive free health screenings in seven different disciplines in a relaxed setting, administered by volunteer health care professionals, according to a press release. The inclusive Young Athletes area at the Games gave children ages 2-7 a chance to fine-tune motor skills, test hand-eye coordination, and get a preview of what they’ll experience as a future Special Olympics.
There was also a festival with music, games and activities for the entire family; a fan zone where supporters could make signs to cheer on athletes; an art display by SOSC athlete Samantha Roman; and merchandise for sale.
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