Melbourne hosts Special Olympics national games across 13 sports

More than 850 athletes with an intellectual disability and/or autism are competing in Melbourne as the Special Olympics Australia 2026 National Games get underway. The competition spans 13 sports and continues until 23 October 2026.

Held at the Albert Park sporting precinct, the program includes swimming, athletics, netball, tenpin bowling and DanceSport, which involves competitive ballroom and Latin dancing. The national games began in 1986 and take place every four years.

Among those representing the ACT is Charlotte Bailey, a 25-year-old tenpin bowler who has Down syndrome. She began competitive bowling about five years ago and is making her first appearance at this level.

Bailey said improving scores and success at competitions had encouraged her to pursue the sport. She was looking forward to meeting fellow competitors and said the games gave the public an opportunity to recognise the skills, effort and determination of athletes with disabilities.

Away from bowling, Bailey has spoken at United Nations events about workplace rights for people with disability. She works for the ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Association and at a local bistro, and said both employers supported her sporting goals.

Bailey said she wanted her experiences in employment, advocacy and sport to encourage other people with disability to pursue their ambitions, while stressing the importance of having support.