KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Special Olympics Tennessee has announced it is canceling the 2026 State Winter Games that were scheduled to be held in Gatlinburg this weekend.
Organizers said the decision to cancel was made because of the winter storm that is headed toward East Tennessee. There was also an increasing number of delegations withdrawing their travel plans for safety reasons.
According to SOT, the games bring together athletes from across Tennessee to compete in skiing, snowboarding and speed skating at Ober Mountain, and a 3v3 basketball competition at Rocky Top Sports World.
The games were originally scheduled for Jan. 25-27, but were later rescheduled to Feb. 1-3 because of winter weather. Now, SOT said the 2026 games will not happen at all.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and with participant well-being as the organization’s highest priority, the event will not be held this year and will not be rescheduled. The safety of our athletes and their families remains paramount in every decision we make,” SOT said. “Special Olympics Tennessee looks forward to welcoming the entire Winter Games community back to Gatlinburg in 2027 for another celebration of athletic achievement, inclusion and unity.”
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