2014 USA Games

By Tela Mange

Team Texas—154 people strong—arrived home last Saturday carrying a LOT of hardware. Their trip to New Jersey for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games was a week none of them will forget.

Friendships were made, new experiences were had, and personal records were shattered. It was an amazing week for Team Texas—and for all the 3,500 athletes from across the U.S.

“I was so very proud of our Team Texas athletes and coaches. They each tried their best and they brought honor to our state. And the families who made the trip were great representatives of Texas. They carried Texas flags with them to the competitions. There never was any doubt about where they were from!” said Margaret M. Larsen, president and CEO of Special Olympics Texas.

The USA Games competitions were held in some of the top sports venues in New Jersey, including Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Mercer County Park and several private schools.

Athletes and coaches participated in spectacular special events from the moment they arrived, including a New Jersey Welcome Day, the Opening Ceremony at the Prudential Center, a dinner boat cruise to see the Statue of Liberty, sports showcases and the Closing Ceremony at Sun National Bank Center. The Athlete Village was a Jersey Shore-themed Olympic Town complete with a boardwalk and carnival rides. The athletes were able to visit the Healthy Athletes venue for vision, dental and hearing screenings and were provided with eyeglasses and hearing aid referrals if needed.

But back to the important stuff. Texas cleaned up!

• 25 Gold
• 16 Silver
• 11 Bronze
• 10 Fourth Place Finishes
• 2 Fifth Place Finishes

Fox Sports 1 will televise a wrap-up of the USA Games on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. Central time. Be sure to tune in to see some amazing competition—and competitors. When you watch this telecast, you’ll be part of history. Never before has a national news network done a broadcast about the USA Games.