Bell among Special Olympics USA Games athletes

Byhalia resident Matthew Bell is among the Mississippi athletes as official competition is underway this week at the Special Olympics USA Games at Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event continues through Friday, June 26.

Bell, a Marshall County representative and a Special Olympics Mississippi board member, is a seasoned veteran who has been involved with the program for nearly a decade. For the 2026 games, he is competing in three events: the 200-meter run, the running long jump, and the 4x100-meter relay.

While his schedule is intense, Bell maintains that the true essence of the games goes beyond the podium.

“It’s mostly about spreading the encouragement, reminding everyone that the main idea is to have fun,” Bell said as the games commenced. “It doesn’t always have to end up being a competition.”

Bell’s preparation for the national stage involves a strict regimen, including independent two- to three-mile runs around his local neighborhood, coupled with weekly Thursday team practices.

Of his three events, Bell noted that the 200-meter sprint remains his absolute favorite, a discipline where he has historically found a higher gear.

“I remember one of my favorite clips was on the 200 and I felt like I was on fire... like I was just kicking speed,” Bell said.

Bell is joined in Minneapolis by three other standout competitors from the DeSoto County area, all under the direction of veteran track and field coach Glen Barlow:

• Seth Slocum (Southaven): Competing in powerlifting (deadlift, bench press, and back squats) with targets of hitting a 450-pound deadlift and a 410-pound squat.

• Kassidy Gamblin (Horn Lake): Running the 100-meter sprint, the running long jump, and part of the 4x100-meter relay team.

• Joseph Tate (Olive Branch): Competing in the 100-meter run, the running long jump, and the 4x100-meter relay.

Barlow emphasized that 100 percent of the team’s multi-year preparation is being put to the test this week.

“These athletes go out and they do everything just as hard, and they do it just as fast,” Barlow said. “No, we don’t have those same speeds and those same times, but they care just as much. They want to get those medals, and they want to hear the cheering in the stands as well.”