Five from Bowling Green area headed to 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Five athletes from the Bowling Green area are headed to one of the biggest stages in Special Olympics.
Three athletes, one Unified partner and one staff coach will represent Team Kentucky at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. The Games are scheduled for June 20-26.
39-year-old Lee Dockins of Russellville will return to the USA Games for the fifth time. Dockins is the most decorated athlete in Special Olympics Kentucky history, with 20 USA Games medals and 22 World Games medals across a career that has taken her to competitions around the world.
At the 2022 USA Games, Dockins won five medals, including three golds. One of those came in the all-around, giving her a second USA Games all-around title.
18-year-old Dillon Meador of Bowling Green is preparing for his first USA Games appearance. Meador has been a Special Olympics athlete for 10 years and competes in several sports, including track, softball, basketball, flag football, bocce and bowling. He is also active in esports and serves as a Special Olympics Kentucky Athlete Ambassador.
36-year-old Troy Pickens of Glasgow will also make his USA Games debut. Pickens will compete in the 9-hole Unified Alternate Shot competition with Unified partner James Cheely, who has been involved with Special Olympics for 22 years.
Cheely is no stranger to the USA Games. He has attended previous Games to support athletes, including his sons in 2022, but this will be his first time competing.
Bowling Green’s Jeff Corder will also make the trip as part of Team Kentucky’s coaching and administrative staff. Corder, a 35-year Special Olympics volunteer, will help handle the team’s health-related needs.
Team Kentucky leaves Louisville on June 19 and returns June 27.
Special Olympics Kentucky is sending 37 athletes, 8 Unified partners, 18 coaches, 2 caddies and 1 adult mentor to the Games. Kentucky athletes will compete in artistic gymnastics, bocce, bowling, flag football, golf, swimming, track and field and Unified basketball.
