Connecticut Athletes to Fly to 2026 USA Games Aboard Nationwide Special Olympics Airlift

Special Olympics Connecticut athletes will join athletes from across the country in the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift, a nationwide mission led by Textron Aviation that mobilizes the volunteer owners and pilots of Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft to transport athletes, Unified Sports® partners, and coaches to the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. The Airlift is recognized as the world’s largest peacetime airlift and showcases the aviation community’s long-standing commitment to service.

Now in its ninth iteration, the Special Olympics Airlift will operate Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 27 through St. Paul Downtown Airport Holman Field (KSTP), where aircraft will land or depart every three minutes. This effort ensures athletes nationwide can participate in the USA Games, eliminating travel barriers and reflecting aviation’s power to unite communities.

For Special Olympics Connecticut, the journey to the USA Games marks a milestone moment for athletes who have spent years training and preparing to compete on a national stage. The delegation includes 59 members who will compete in bowling, swimming, track & field, Unified basketball, and Unified softball.

"Our athletes have trained for years for this opportunity, and the support of volunteer pilots makes the dream of competing on the national stage possible,’” said Marc Mercadante, Special Olympics Connecticut’s Vice President, Sports and Local Programs.

Since 1987, volunteer pilots and aircraft owners have transported more than 10,000 athletes and coaches through the Special Olympics Airlift. Each event has grown in scale and impact, fueled by hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, aircraft, and expertise to support Special Olympics athletes.

To help enhance the travel experience for athletes, Textron Aviation has launched a nationwide donation campaign supporting Special Olympics. Contributions go directly to Special Olympics to supply travel essentials and provide operational support for the coast-to-coast mission. Support athletes on their journey to the USA Games by donating at airlift.txtav.com.

About Special Olympics USA Games

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games—scheduled for June 19-27, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine—is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations. The USA Games, with co-presenting partners Jersey Mike’s Subs and United Healthcare, will be one of the biggest U.S. sporting events of the year, drawing tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the ability of over 3,000 incredible athletes from all 50 states as they compete in 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports. As a state with a long history of championing inclusion, the USA Games now bring an unrivaled opportunity to Minnesota to spark new energy around the Special Olympics movement and create a lasting legacy of positive change throughout the country.

About Textron Aviation

We have been inspiring the journey of flight for nearly 100 years. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna, Hawker and Pipistrel brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, light and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense aircraft, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for nearly 14,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 200 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: The Connecticut Elks Association, Enterprise, ESPN, Eversource, Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Knights of Columbus, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the Mohegan Tribe, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney, and Webster Bank. Year-Round Suppliers: Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, N&D Sports, Pepperidge Farm, and WORX.