News Releases
Stay Up-to-Date Your resource for Special Olympics New Mexico news releases and official statements.
30 Special Olympics New Mexico Athletes will compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, June 11, 2026: In just over a week, more than 3,000 athletes from across the country will come together to compete at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, taking place June 20–26, 2026, in Minnesota. This national celebration of sport and inclusion will unite athletes, coaches, families and fans from all 50 states. Special Olympics New Mexico is proud to share that it will send a 49-member delegation, including 30 Special Olympics athletes, to represent New Mexico at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Team New Mexico is comprised of 30 athletes, 7 coaches, 1 Adult Athlete Leader, 2 Unified Champion Schools® students, and 9 staff. The delegation will compete in 4 of the 16 Olympic-type sports offered at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, including athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce and bowling.
Note: Learn more and view the full delegation roster for Special Olympics New Mexico our website:
LCSO Deputy Cathy Carnes will Represent NM in the LETR for Special Olympics Final Leg June 2026
NEW MEXICO, May 26, 2026: Special Olympics New Mexico is proud to announce that Lea County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cathy Carnes is one of 53 officers selected to carry the Flame of Hope torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The LETR Final Leg, sponsored by Jersey Mike’s Subs, kicks off on Friday, May 29. This historic, coast-to-coast journey unites law enforcement and athletes as they head toward Minnesota, where approximately 3,000 competitors, including 30 Special Olympics athletes from New Mexico, will participate in 16 Olympic-style sports from June 20-26, 2026.
The LETR Final Leg serves as the ultimate countdown to the USA Games, spanning May 29–June 20, 2026. The Flame of Hope will be carried from Chicago, the birthplace of Special Olympics, and travel along two parallel routes across the East Coast and West/Central regions, before converging in Minnesota.
Among those carrying the torch is a local law enforcement officer selected to represent New Mexico in this iconic LETR Final Leg. This opportunity is awarded to a limited number of athletes and law enforcement officials, nominated by their local Programs for their profound dedication to Special Olympics and leadership within the LETR movement. Deputy Carnes was nominated for her ongoing dedication and passion to Special Olympics New Mexico athletes both in her community and across the state. Her support included awarding medals at local Area and State Competitions, as well as organizing and leading numerous fundraisers that raised over $60,000 for Special Olympics in 2025.
2026 State Summer Games
May 29–31: Special Olympics New Mexico will host the 2026 State Summer Games in Albuquerque
What: ALBUQUERQUE, Friday, May 29–Sunday, May 31: Approximately 1,375 Special Olympics New Mexico athletes and Unified partners will compete in the 2026 State Summer Games, presented by Chick-fil-A. Special Olympics athletes will compete in athletics (track & field events), bocce, Unified flag football, Unified volleyball, and skill events throughout the competition weekend. Unified sports partner people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) to compete together in team-based sports.
“In the world of Special Olympics, whether you are enormously gifted or significantly challenged, each athlete who trains and competes has the desire to achieve. At this year’s State Summer Games, not only will over 1,300 Special Olympics athletes and their Unified partners from around New Mexico demonstrate the desire to find their best selves, but in doing so, all who watch them will be reminded of the simple beauty of the joy and celebration of sport,” said Randy Mascorella, Executive Director, Special Olympics New Mexico. “With each competition opportunity, their lives are changed, as are the attitudes of all of us who watch them.”
Who: The 2026 State Summer Games will bring together approximately 1,375 Special Olympics participants including 800+ Special Olympics athletes and 300+ Unified partners from 38 delegations across New Mexico.
When: Friday, May 29–Sunday, May 31, 2026
New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run 2026 State Relay Run
NEW MEXICO, May 18: The New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run (NMLETR) for Special Olympics State Relay Run kicks off today and will continue throughout the state until the Final Leg on Friday, May 29 in Albuquerque. During the annual State Relay Run, hundreds of law enforcement and public safety personnel from a variety of municipal, county, fire rescue, tribal, state, and federal agencies will carry the Flame of Hope Torch throughout New Mexico while raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics New Mexico.
Known as the “Guardians of the Flame of Hope,” these statewide public safety officers, joined by friends and family members, will travel a combined 1,600 miles by foot and bicycle across New Mexico’s roads and highways, bringing the Flame of Hope torch to the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Special Olympics New Mexico State Summer Games in Albuquerque on Friday, May 29.
Special Olympics New Mexico Athletes Run in the Jemez Mountain Trail Runs
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – May 13, 2026: This past weekend two Special Olympics New Mexico athletes earned a place among some of the toughest trail runners in the Southwest at the Jemez Mountain Trail Runs (JMTR) in Los Alamos.
Special Olympics athlete Ben Blewett completed the 50k (31-mile) course in approximately 10 hours, while Bella Sieberg crossed the finish line of the 15-mile distance in approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. Both proudly represented Special Olympics New Mexico on one of the most demanding trail courses in the country. Additionally, these athletes will be representing New Mexico at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, June 20–26 in Minnesota. They will compete in athletics (track & field). These athletes are redefining what’s possible as they pursue ambitious goals.
Jersey Mike’s March 25 Day of Giving
ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25: GRAB A SUB, HELP TEAM NEW MEXICO ATHLETES
12 New Mexico Jersey Mike’s Locations Will Donate 100% of Sales to Help Local Athletes
Attend the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
WHAT: Hungry to help others? Visit any Jersey Mike’s Subs in New Mexico on Wednesday, March 25 and
100 percent of your purchase, whether in-store, online or through the app, will support the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, helping 30 Team New Mexico athletes attend the event in locations across Minnesota’s Twin Cities, June 20-26, 2026.
Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving March 2026
NEW MEXICO (Statewide), Feb. 26, 2026 – The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is joining forces with 12 Jersey Mike’s Subs locations throughout New Mexico for the 16th Annual March “Month of Giving” campaign. During the month of March, customers will have the option to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar or make a donation when placing their order to help 30 local Team New Mexico athletes and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
This year, the games will be held June 20-26, in locations across Minnesota’s Twin Cities, with the University of Minnesota as the official host venue. Nearly 3,000 athletes will compete in 16 sports including athletics, gymnastics, swimming and basketball, with pickleball and cornhole making their debut.
Randy Mascorella Retirement Announcement
SONM Area Directors, Local Coordinators, Heads of Delegations, Coaches, and Families:
The purpose of this letter is to share with you that I will be retiring at the end of June and want to thank you for everything you have done, are doing, and will continue to do on behalf of our athletes and the Special Olympics movement in New Mexico.
My 34 years as the Executive Director could not have been more meaningful or to be honest, more fun. My being here was God’s choice, and even during the most challenging times over the years, I have thanked Him for bringing me not only to Special Olympics but to New Mexico.
For the work that has been done and the growth we have seen in the past three decades, equally meaningful to me has been the thousands of people I have gotten to know and work with. Because our athletes tend to bring out the best in all of us, I have reaped the benefits of their ability to transform people through the joy of sport.
2025 100 Friends for 100 Miles Media Alert
Local Ultrarunner Hits the Trail to Raise $100,000 for Special Olympics New Mexico
What: Local ultrarunner Adam Trubow will take on the grueling Leadville Trail 100 Run on August 16 as part of his fundraising campaign, 100 Friends for 100 Miles, to benefit Special Olympics New Mexico. The goal: raise $100,000 to fully fund sending Team New Mexico to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. Supporters can donate at 100friends100miles.com.
Who:
- Adam Trubow, local ultrarunner and campaign founder
- Special Olympics athletes Tim Harris, Ben Blewett and Bella Sieberg will also travel to Leadville to pace run alongside Adam during sections of the 100-mile race.
- Benefitting Team New Mexico: 47 people including 30 Special Olympics athletes and additional Special Olympics New Mexico staff and coaches.
