Special Olympics Indiana and JD Foundation to Distribute Shoes at Summer Games

Special Olympics Indiana, in partnership with the JD Foundation, is proud to announce a special initiative to provide free athletic shoes to athletes during the 2026 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games on June 12-14 in Terre Haute.

The shoe distribution will take place inside Olympic Town in Lot 14 on the campus of Indiana State University. All members of Team Indiana and select Special Olympics Indiana athletes will receive a free pair of shoes while supplies last.

Distribution times are as follows:

• Friday, June 12: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 13: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14: 9 a.m. to noon

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to supporting athletes both on and off the field of competition by ensuring they have access to proper footwear to perform at their best.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with the JD Foundation and their continued dedication to our athletes,” Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said. “Providing quality athletic shoes not only enhances performance but also promotes confidence, a core value at the heart of Special Olympics. This effort will make a meaningful difference for so many of our athletes during one of the most exciting weekends of the year.”

“At JD Finish Line, we believe the culture of sport is universal,” JD Foundation President Marty Posch said. “It is a language of confidence and community that everyone should be able to speak. However, no athlete can perform their best if they are not supported from the ground up.

“We recognize that nearly half of Special Olympics athletes compete in ill-fitting footwear. This is a significant health and performance barrier that we are uniquely positioned to address. By providing properly fitted sneakers at the Summer Games, the JD Foundation aims to remove that obstacle so these competitors can focus entirely on the sports they love.”

More than 5,000 athletes, Unified partners, coaches, families and fans will take part in the 2026 Summer Games. Hosted at Indiana State and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the Games features championship tournaments in seven sports: bocce, bowling, cycling powerlifting, swimming, track and field and volleyball.

For more information about the 2026 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games, visit www.soindiana.org.