Special Olympics athletes compete in 2025 Rhode Island Summer Games

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Over a thousand athletes gathered at the University of Rhode Island Saturday for the 2025 Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games.

“I feel confident, strong, my coaches taught me how to be really confident,” Special Olympics athlete Shaun Perez said.

Competitors set new personal bests in soccer, track and field, and powerlifting.

“It felt great, it felt good,” Mary Irons said.

Mary has competed in everything from swimming to basketball, all across the world in Alaska, Japan, and South Korea.

Mary’s mom, Barbara Irons, said her daughter has been part of Special Olympics for over 35 years.

“Special Olympics is very important to us because its very important to Mary, and its a wonderful organization that gives the children and young adults an opportunity to compete in things that they really love on their different levels,” Barbara said.

The games are more than just a competition. They bring together a community full of hugs, first bumps, and high fives.

CEO and President of Special Olympics Rhode Island, Ed Pacheco, spoke about the organization’s mission.

“When we come together, there nothing we can’t accomplish,” Pacheco said. “The education and awareness that an event like this raises demonstrates that acceptance and respect and inclusion for all doesn’t just have to be a tag line, it doesn’t just have to be something we talk about as a possibility, its real, its happening, and its here at the state summer games.”

Still to come, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, with many of these local athletes, including Shaun, preparing to compete.