Heat, Heart, and a Whole Lot of Champions

2026 State Summer Games Presented by Associated Grocers of New England

June 15, 2026

The awards have been presented. The final results have been posted. Athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families have returned home carrying memories that will last far longer than a weekend.

Over two incredible days at the University of New Hampshire, hundreds of athletes from across the Granite State came together to compete in athletics, bocce, powerlifting, and swimming. They pushed through heat and humidity, celebrated personal bests, and reminded all of us what determination, sportsmanship, and inclusion truly look like.

This year’s Games were especially meaningful as we celebrated 50 years of partnership between Special Olympics New Hampshire and the University of New Hampshire. For five decades, UNH has welcomed athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, and supporters to Durham, creating a home for one of New Hampshire’s most inspiring annual traditions.

While there were countless memorable performances throughout the weekend, the moments many people will remember most had little to do with the results.

A Weekend of Unforgettable Moments

Special Olympics has always been about more than awards.

It’s about courage.

It’s about friendship.

It’s about cheering just as loudly for your competitors as you do for your teammates.

And sometimes, it’s about recognizing that the greatest victory has nothing to do with where you finish.

One of those moments came on the bocce courts.

After earning a bronze award, Julia Gray made a decision that left many in the awards area wiping away tears. Julia had just competed against Gabriel McAuliffe, who was participating in his first State Summer Games bocce competition. While Julia earned an award, Gabriel narrowly missed the podium and was understandably disappointed.

Without hesitation, Julia handed her bronze award to Gabriel, welcoming him into the sport and recognizing the effort he had put into reaching the State Summer Games.

According to Julia’s mother, Kelly Croteau, there were plenty of happy tears in the awards area.

It was a simple act of kindness, but one that perfectly captured the spirit of Special Olympics.

Coincidentally, Julia and her teammates from the Androscoggin River Athletes were recognized later that day when they were presented with the McDonald’s Ray Kroc Spirit Award, an honor awarded annually to the team that best embodies sportsmanship, teamwork, enthusiasm, and the values of Special Olympics.

Team New Hampshire Takes the Spotlight

Friday night’s Opening Ceremonies featured another unforgettable moment as Team New Hampshire was recognized before departing for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.

The delegation of 39 athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and delegation leaders proudly entered Wildcat Stadium together during the Parade of Athletes, receiving a warm sendoff from athletes, families, volunteers, and supporters from across the state.

The celebration continued as athlete Amy Spotts and Bedford Police Officer Haylie Gulino, joined by Team Barrington athlete Dylan McDade, escorted the Flame of Hope into the stadium during Opening Ceremonies.

In just a few days, Amy and Haylie will once again carry the Flame of Hope, this time as part of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the 2026 USA Games.

For many athletes competing this weekend, Summer Games was the culmination of months of training. For Team New Hampshire, it was the final stop before representing the Granite State on a national stage.

We wish Team NH the very best as they travel to Minnesota and show the country what New Hampshire athletes can do.

It Takes a Community

The athletes may be the heart of the State Summer Games, but it takes an extraordinary community to make the event possible.

The work began days before the first athlete arrived. Volunteers packed equipment, prepared venues, built bocce courts, unloaded trucks, set up competition areas, and helped transform the UNH campus into the home of the State Summer Games.

Throughout the weekend, more than six hundred volunteers dedicated their time and energy to supporting athletes, presenting awards, serving meals, taking photos, operating competition venues, supporting Olympic Town and Healthy Athletes screenings, and ensuring every athlete had the opportunity to succeed.

And they did it all through some of the hottest and most humid conditions of the year.

Their commitment never wavered.

To every volunteer who gave their time, energy, enthusiasm, and heart to this event, thank you.

A special thank you to the volunteer groups and community partners who joined us this year, including:

Thank you for helping create an unforgettable experience for athletes from across New Hampshire.

Thank You to Our Summer Games Partners

The 2026 State Summer Games were made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners:

Together, you helped provide competition opportunities, meals, housing, transportation, equipment, healthcare screenings, volunteer support, and countless memorable moments for athletes and their families.

Thank you for believing in the power of inclusion and helping create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across New Hampshire.

More Than Competition

Competition may bring athletes together, but it’s only part of the story.

Throughout the weekend, athletes participated in Healthy Athletes screenings focused on hearing, dental health, and physical therapy, connecting with healthcare professionals dedicated to improving health outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities.

Athletes also demonstrated the leadership, confidence, determination, and sportsmanship that define the Special Olympics movement.

Some athletes were attending their very first State Summer Games while others have been competing for decades.

Some were preparing to represent New Hampshire on the national stage.

Others were simply discovering what they’re capable of for the first time.

Every one of those journeys mattered.

Thank You, Athletes

To the hundreds of athletes who competed this weekend:

Congratulations.

Thank you for your effort.

Thank you for your determination.

Thank you for your sportsmanship.

Thank you for your courage.

Whether you earned a gold medal, received a ribbon, achieved a personal best, competed at your first State Summer Games, or simply stepped onto the field, court, platform, or pool deck and gave it your all, you made this weekend special.

You reminded us why Special Olympics matters.

You reminded us why inclusion matters.

And you reminded us that the greatest achievements are often measured not by the awards we receive, but by the character we show along the way.

Thank you for inspiring us.

We’ll see you next year.

Event Photos
Competition Results – Coming Soon