Courtesy photo

TRAVERSE CITY — Our local Special Olympics team, Area 39 sent a delegation of eight athletes and three coaches to the State Winter Games, hosted by Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, during the week of January 27-30, 2026. We are proud to announce that they brought home six gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal in the following snowshoe events: 25m, 50m 100m, and 200m.

Area 39 consists of athletes from Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties and had been inactive for almost ten years prior to its restart in July 2025. This marks the first State Games that it has attended in quite a while. About 50 athletes participate in a year-round sports training and competition program for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Area 39 operates hubs in both Houghton and Ironwood.