Harding University will host the 2026 Special Olympics Arkansas Summer Games May 21-31. Approximately 2,000 athletes and 500 coaches are anticipated to attend the event. Athletes will compete in sports including bocce, powerlifting, softball, swimming, track and field, and tennis.
Opening ceremonies will be held at the Ted and Marcie Lloyd Track and Field Complex, located at 1825 East Beebe Capps Expressway in Searcy, AR, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. The competition will begin on May 22 at 8:30 a.m. All events will take place at Harding University’s Bison Lane except swimming, which will be held at the Searcy Swim Center, located at 525 Recreation Way. The public is invited to attend the games and support the athletes.
“We are looking forward to hosting the Arkansas Summer Games again this year in Searcy at Harding University,” said Dr. John Richard Duke, executive director of the American Studies Institute. “This is a wonderful event, and we hope many will attend in support of the athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers and so many others who make this event possible.”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began Monday, May 18, commencing a three-day journey in which officers carry the “Flame of Hope” from all four corners of the state. Thursday, May 21, Guardians of the Flame will converge on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol, located at 500 Woodlane St. in Little Rock, to join their flames in a ceremonial lighting of the Final Leg Torch. The Final Leg is a 50-mile continuous run to Searcy which will culminate as officers run the Flame of Hope to the Ted and Marcie Lloyd Track and Field Complex for the opening ceremonies.
For more information, visit SpecialOlympicsArkansas.org. For additional information on Harding events and community services, visit Harding.edu/community.
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