From June 20-26, nearly 170 Special Olympics Florida athletes and Unified partners from across the state will head to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

According to their mission statement, Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

The ultimate objective of Special Olympics Florida is to help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.

This month’s event will bring together thousands of athletes from all over the nation to showcase their talent, teamwork, and the power of sports to change lives.

One of those athletes is from Alachua County.

Kiondre Brown is a multi-sport athlete who will represent Team Florida in basketball at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.

“It’s very awesome to have the opportunity to compete at the USA Games,” Brown said. “I’m glad we are going because I always say never say never to any opportunities. I am excited to have the chance to represent Florida for a second time at the USA Games.”

In 2023, Brown’s Unified basketball team won a national championship, and he was named tournament MVP after averaging 27 points per game.

“It was a great, exciting experience,” Brown said. “I just liked getting the opportunity to be there with my friends. It was great to win, but ultimately you just have to be happy and enjoy it.”

He scored 133 points in five games.

“I don’t know how I did that, but I went crazy,” he said. “But my friend, Ivory, made the game-winning three. Shoutout to her, I was so happy for her.”

There are many ways to describe Brown’s hoops game. He does it all.

“I take advantage of what the defense gives me,” he said. “If I don’t make a shot, I help my team on defense and rebounding. I’ll take it to the hole if I need to. I’ll shoot if I need to. The most important thing is I do my thing and have fun.”

Brown has been having fun with Special Olympics Florida for a decade, which has given him plenty of opportunities to travel and compete.

“I’ve travelled to Ohio State University in 2018 for basketball, San Antonio (Texas) for the World Games Training camp in 2022, then to Austin (Texas) for flag football in 2023, and Maryland for basketball in 2023, where we won the national championship. Then we went to Berlin for the World Games in June 2023, and then we went to Oklahoma for flag football in 2024. I’m excited for my teammates to go. I thank God and I’m very happy to go to Minnesota.”

He’s a big-game performer who led his flag football team to a bronze medal at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

“I got involved (Special Olympics Florida) through my school, the Sidney Lanier Center in Gainesville, in 2016,” Brown said. “I had coaches like Abijah Bertrand and Taylor Byle who got me involved and have had a lot of people who have kept me involved. Special Olympics Florida is a great experience. Special Olympics is my life. When I’m around Special Olympics athletes and partners, they show me love and show me who I am.”

He said his most fun personal experience was playing flag football at the 2022 USA Games when his team poured water on him after they won the bronze medal.

“It showed me who I am and what I can do,” Brown said. “It showed me that Special Olympics Florida is fun. It’s not about the challenges I’ve faced; it’s about competing and being happy. Getting the bronze medal brought me tears. The USA Games were the coolest experience to be there and be a part of it with my teammates. My best friend Randy couldn’t play, so he coached and I’m glad he got to be there with me.”

Although he likes both sports, Brown said he doesn’t have a favorite.

“I get to play both sports with my friends, and I’m so glad to have everyone in my life and on my team,” he said.

Being a part of Special Olympics Florida does have its own set of challenges. He often held two jobs, working at Subway and doing yard work, while creating his own music and finding time to practice.

“I balance the time because I can’t stop,” Brown said. “I love Special Olympics Florida and I love my jobs. I work hard to support my family and take care of my nieces and nephews. I love Special Olympics Florida, playing video games, and making music, so that’s what I do for fun.”

Brown said he likes to listen to R&B & Hip Hop.

“So that’s what music I like to make,” he said. “I rap and sing. I write my music and put my heart into it.”

But for now, his focus is on Minnesota, a place he has never been.

“I’m excited to enjoy the experience with my teammates, meeting new people from across the country, and I’m excited to play basketball,” Brown said. “I’m most excited for my teammates to have the opportunity because they’re my family.”