Team North Carolina earns gold at Special Olympics USA Games
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 10:12 PM
Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Team North Carolina has concluded its participation in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis with multiple medals. Standout athlete Rio Byrd achieved four gold medals in powerlifting, excelling in bench press, deadlift, squat, and combination events. The Durham County cheer team also won gold in the Unified Small Team Level 1 division, marking a historic achievement for North Carolina. As the Games end, Byrd expresses hope that her success will inspire others.
- •Rio Byrd won four gold medals in powerlifting events.
- •The cheer team made history as the first Special Olympics NC squad at USA Games.
- •Byrd set two personal records during the competition.
- •A total of 36 athletes represented North Carolina at the Games.
- 10:12 PMYahoo Sports — Team North Carolina brings home gold from Special Olympics USA Games
"Among the standout performers is Wake County athlete Rio Byrd, who captured four gold medals in powerlifting.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
Olympics•Oct 21, 2026, 5:34 AMChalmers targets Olympic qualification in 2027
Olympics•Oct 21, 2026, 5:03 AMHow LA28 aims to stage 'the best Paralympic Games ever'
Olympics•Oct 20, 2026, 10:58 PMThe US men wanted to be contenders at gymnastics worlds. Instead they got a reality check.
Olympics•Oct 20, 2026, 11:02 AMScooter champ 'battles' to win third world title
Olympics•Oct 19, 2026, 11:01 PMChina, U.S., Russia top women’s team qualification at gymnastics World Championships
Olympics•Oct 18, 2026, 7:01 PMWith every reason to falter, US women show what they’re made of at gymnastics worlds