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The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of success for any athlete. Many try, but most fail. It’s the epitome of the phrase: “the agony of defeat.” For those who qualify, it’s more the feeling of “the thrill of victory,” and they will forever mark their accomplishments with the talisman of the famous Olympic ring.
For Special Olympic athletes, those dreams and goals began on Saturday and for the last week they have been competing in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The games started with opening ceremonies on June 20 and run through June 26.
Two Special Olympics athletes representing Clatsop County are Brittney Clarke and Jacob McCarr.
Both Clarke and McCarr are competing in multiple events. Clarke is competing in the 400-meter walk, the mini javelin and the 4 x 100-meter relay. McCarr is also competing in three events — his events are the shot put, the 100-meter dash and the 4 x 100-meter relay.
As Clatsop County Special Olympics continues to welcome more athletes, coordinator David McAloney said he was very proud to have Clarke and McCarr representing the North Coast in Minneapolis. Taking a break while in Minneapolis, McAloney took some time to answer a few questions about Special Olympics coaching, training and more. The following conversation has been lightly edited.
David, you also serve as coach. Can you talk about that a bit — what is your coaching style when working with the athletes?
My coaching style often leads with telling athletes the rules of the game and how we are going to compete. But after leading with the framework of the sport or event, we guide them in a nurturing way, much like a parent in their parental guidance. We as coaches encourage corrections along the way, while training that leads to improvement and growth in the athlete with hopes of them competing well to win an award.
How long have you been a Special Olympics coach?
I have been volunteering with Special Olympics Clatsop County since around 2013 or 2014. As a volunteer assisted where needed. Around 2015, I became sports manager for the county. Around the same time, I became the head coach for soccer. In 2018, I became local program manager. We shut down during COVID and came back in 2023.
Personally, what are your favorite Olympic events — and why?
Well, being biased, my favorite sport is soccer. To see how the ball moves and how the teams can organize themselves on the pitch is wonderful. The greatest gift that we have as volunteers and community members is seeing the growth and success of an athlete throughout the season.
Watching the athletes grow in teamwork and sportsmanship, while always having a smile is so cool. It is such a joy to watch an athlete overcome mental barriers throughout the course of the season to set new personal records. Most of the time these athletes come up with new strategies that enable them to accomplish something like shoot a basketball or lift an untold amount of weight. This melts your heart as a coach.
What is the training regimen like for Special Olympics?
The training regimen for Special Olympics truly varies from one program to another. In Clatsop County, we currently practice during the season two hours a week for eight weeks. Which leads to competing at regional competitions, depending on the season, and having the ability to move on to state competition.
In this past season, we offered two sports for the summer season: bocce and athletics (track and field). Practices are two hours on Saturday for eight+ weeks.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
There’s no other better way to grow as a person than loving another person. We are always looking for volunteers to give what they’re able to give to share the love of the sport with those that may have felt like they could not compete in sports. We as an organization and volunteers are here to give them the opportunity to compete in sports. Our goal is to give those athletes a chance to compete who maybe don’t feel like they can.
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is streaming live all week on ESPN+ and Disney+. ESPN is providing nearly 50 hours of live coverage through the ESPN App, focusing on competitions like athletics, swimming, powerlifting and flag football. ABC is broadcasting preview and review highlight specials.
Continue reading...
For Special Olympic athletes, those dreams and goals began on Saturday and for the last week they have been competing in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The games started with opening ceremonies on June 20 and run through June 26.
Two Special Olympics athletes representing Clatsop County are Brittney Clarke and Jacob McCarr.
Both Clarke and McCarr are competing in multiple events. Clarke is competing in the 400-meter walk, the mini javelin and the 4 x 100-meter relay. McCarr is also competing in three events — his events are the shot put, the 100-meter dash and the 4 x 100-meter relay.
As Clatsop County Special Olympics continues to welcome more athletes, coordinator David McAloney said he was very proud to have Clarke and McCarr representing the North Coast in Minneapolis. Taking a break while in Minneapolis, McAloney took some time to answer a few questions about Special Olympics coaching, training and more. The following conversation has been lightly edited.
David, you also serve as coach. Can you talk about that a bit — what is your coaching style when working with the athletes?
My coaching style often leads with telling athletes the rules of the game and how we are going to compete. But after leading with the framework of the sport or event, we guide them in a nurturing way, much like a parent in their parental guidance. We as coaches encourage corrections along the way, while training that leads to improvement and growth in the athlete with hopes of them competing well to win an award.
How long have you been a Special Olympics coach?
I have been volunteering with Special Olympics Clatsop County since around 2013 or 2014. As a volunteer assisted where needed. Around 2015, I became sports manager for the county. Around the same time, I became the head coach for soccer. In 2018, I became local program manager. We shut down during COVID and came back in 2023.
Personally, what are your favorite Olympic events — and why?
Well, being biased, my favorite sport is soccer. To see how the ball moves and how the teams can organize themselves on the pitch is wonderful. The greatest gift that we have as volunteers and community members is seeing the growth and success of an athlete throughout the season.
Watching the athletes grow in teamwork and sportsmanship, while always having a smile is so cool. It is such a joy to watch an athlete overcome mental barriers throughout the course of the season to set new personal records. Most of the time these athletes come up with new strategies that enable them to accomplish something like shoot a basketball or lift an untold amount of weight. This melts your heart as a coach.
What is the training regimen like for Special Olympics?
The training regimen for Special Olympics truly varies from one program to another. In Clatsop County, we currently practice during the season two hours a week for eight weeks. Which leads to competing at regional competitions, depending on the season, and having the ability to move on to state competition.
In this past season, we offered two sports for the summer season: bocce and athletics (track and field). Practices are two hours on Saturday for eight+ weeks.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
There’s no other better way to grow as a person than loving another person. We are always looking for volunteers to give what they’re able to give to share the love of the sport with those that may have felt like they could not compete in sports. We as an organization and volunteers are here to give them the opportunity to compete in sports. Our goal is to give those athletes a chance to compete who maybe don’t feel like they can.
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is streaming live all week on ESPN+ and Disney+. ESPN is providing nearly 50 hours of live coverage through the ESPN App, focusing on competitions like athletics, swimming, powerlifting and flag football. ABC is broadcasting preview and review highlight specials.
Continue reading...
