By Lily Goodfellow
I had the chance to interview the President & CEO of Special Olympics, David Evangelista, at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to David, Unified sports are the future.
“I want the world to wake up and realize that for close to six decades they missed what is the biggest opportunity for us to heal ourselves, which is simply to play Unified. That’s my goal for countries around the world … This is a world of no judgement. This is a world of just play.”
I was able to see the spirit of inclusion while watching the Team Illinois Unified basketball and volleyball teams compete at the Games.
Special Olympics Unified Sports is a program that pairs athletes with intellectual disabilities with partners who do not have an intellectual disability on the same team to compete together. Arik Sorenson is a Unified partner on Team Illinois volleyball. “Unified means everything. Seeing these athletes succeed and get out there, game after game, and practice after practice, it’s awesome.”
Becca Gehle is a Special Olympics Illinois athlete who participates in both Unified and traditional Special Olympics sports. She loves playing Unified because “it’s not just about the athletes. We’re all working together.”
Team Illinois basketball players agree. Athlete Osaze Ikponmwosa says, “It’s about respecting others.”
It was awesome to watch the teams compete, but even more fun to see how much they enjoy playing together and how much they have bonded as teammates. Unified sports give athletes and peers the opportunity to do something they both love and learn from each other.
Family members of both athletes and partners came to Minnesota to support the teams. Barb Alexander’s son, Grayden, is a partner on Team Illinois Unified basketball. She says that for Grayden, being a Unified partner has been one of the best experiences of his high school career. “He has grown and experienced so many amazing things, met so many people, gotten to play a sport that he loves. Just being so inclusive with everyone, he’s learned and grown so much from it.”
Every athlete and partner I talked to said the same thing, how excited they were to be on the team and how much it means to them.
Taylor Sweeting is a Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leader and is serving as the team manager for the Unified volleyball team at the games. “It’s not just about winning the medals. It’s about being good teammates and athletes, and sportsmanship.”
Sportsmanship is about treating others with kindness and respect, even if you aren’t winning. Team Illinois Unified volleyball coach, Julie Smith, helps her players handle the pressure of competing at this level by encouraging them to enjoy every moment.
“We try to make it light and have fun because our team likes to have fun together.”
The players and coaches agree that having fun is the most important part of playing Unified. “My favorite part is playing with my friends and having fun with them always,” said Marium Wahid, an athlete on the volleyball team.
David Evangelista thinks it’s more than that. He believes everyone is looking for the same thing, they just don’t know it. “They are looking to be accepted. They are looking to be loved. They are looking to be part of something bigger than themselves. They are looking to be around people who won’t judge them. They are looking around for people who will help them become better. That’s all right here in Special Olympics.”
As the Team Illinois basketball team won an incredible game against Washington on Tuesday, via double overtime, it was easy to see all of those things. But it was even greater to see them from the volleyball team after a tough loss.
Arik Sorenson said it best. Despite any score, “Unified means inclusion. It means going out there and having fun. We’re Team Illinois – we are fun!”
Follow along with all the Team Illinois sports as they compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. And, learn more about Special Olympics Illinois Unified sports and how to get involved.