Road To 2026USA Games Ep.4: The Support System

On episode 4 of Road to Special Olympics USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we dive into the heart of what powers every Special Olympics athlete: their support system. From coaches who guide athletes toward the national stage to families who cheer through every high and low, this episode highlights the people who make the journey possible. You’ll hear from Coach Matt Corso of Team Illinois Bowling and family member Cathy O’Neill, whose daughter Katie is competing in Gymnastics, as well as Team Illinois staff member Katelin Zandi who powerfully shares how inclusion doesn’t see disability. Together, they reveal how encouragement, partnership, and community shape the road to the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota. Chapters: 0:00 – Episode Intro - Welcome to Episode 4 and today’s theme: the support systems behind every athlete. 2:00 – Coach Interview: Matt Corso (Team Illinois Bowling) - Coach Matt shares his coaching philosophy, how he prepares athletes for USA Games, recognizing athlete struggles, partnering with families, managing pressure, and what inclusion means to him. 29:30 – Family Interview: Cathy O’Neill (Parent of Team Illinois Gymnastics Athlete) - Cathy reflects on being part of her daughter Katie’s support system, the excitement of Minnesota hosting, daily encouragement at home, emotional moments, navigating nerves, celebrating growth, and the meaning of inclusion. 1:25:00 – Community Impact: Katelin Zandi (Team Illinois Staff) - Katelin discusses her role supporting athletes, the power of local programs, Midwest pride, what a strong support system looks like from a staff perspective, and the long‑term legacy of the Games. Jump to: Staff Interview 1:59:00 – Episode Wrap‑Up & Outro - A reflection on the power of support systems and how they shape the Special Olympics movement. Follow the full 10‑part Road to 2026USAGames Series at https://SpecialChronicles.com/2026USAGames for all episodes and subscribe to the full series and remember: Choose To Include. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share to support inclusion and amplify the voices of athletes and volunteers. Follow the journey of 3,000 athletes by downloading the USA Games app — search “USA GAMES” in your app store: https://2026specialolympicsusagames.org/visit-the-games/champions-app Learn more about Special Olympics 2026 USA Games at: https://2026USAGames.org The post Road To 2026USA Games Ep.4: The Support System first appeared on Special Chronicles.