Governor Stein Recognizes the Special Olympics Team

In Recognition Of

The Special Olympics Team

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, 2026 marks the 58th anniversary of the global Special Olympics movement, which launched as the first International Special Olympics Games took place on July 20, 1968, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and included a North Carolina delegation of athletes and coaches; and 

Whereas, Special Olympics’ vision for a more inclusive world has grown into a global movement for change and social justice, using sport, health, and education to empower people with and without intellectual disabilities; and 

Whereas, Special Olympics is the global leader that serves more than 5 million participants in more than 200 countries and jurisdictions, including nearly 53,000 athletes and Unified Partners from North Carolina; and the organization provides continuing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship; and 

Whereas, the State of North Carolina congratulates Special Olympics North Carolina for sending a delegation of 69 individuals to the Special Olympics USA Games being held from June 20 to June 26, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2026, as “In Recognition Of The Special Olympics Team” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.