Ed Pacheco

Dear Athletes - I can’t wait to see you at Special Olympics Rhode Island’s 2026 Summer Games!

Keep the friendship bracelets coming.

And for all my fellow WWE fans, YEET!

Moment of reflection: This morning, I ran an 8:26 pace for the first time since October 2025. As many people know, I’m an avid runner, but last October I suffered a calf injury that sidelined me for more than three months.

Fast forward to today. As I pushed to break 8:30, I found myself thinking about the athletes of Special Olympics Rhode Island. I thought about their grit, determination, and bravery to compete while striving to be their very best.

Don’t read this thinking it’s about me. Quite the opposite. I’ve said many times that Special Olympics athletes are the most inspiring athletes in the world. They teach us how to be better in every sense of the word.

In short: give a little, gain a lot. Volunteer this weekend at the annual State Summer Games and be inspired to push yourself in ways you never imagined. All while helping create moments of joy that will last a lifetime.

Click here to register and volunteer for the 2026 Summer Games: https://specialolympicsri.org/summer-games-volunteer/

A big thank you to the Rhode Island Shriners for their continued support. This year’s Summer Games Opening Ceremony and the entire weekend event will be exciting and memorable occasions for our athletes and their families, thanks to your philanthropy and volunteerism.

Thank you to our 2026 Summer Games Opening Ceremony Sponsor, Rhode Island Shriners. 👏 Your generosity and support help us create an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Rhode Island!🏅

The athletes of Special Olympics Rhode Island are among the most talented leaders you could imagine—we simply need to invite them to lead. Last night, I was incredibly proud of the Athlete Leadership University participants who courageously presented their capstone projects, which ranged from mental health and healthy eating initiatives to surveying community members about their interests and needs. A few even dedicated their work to raising funds in support of fellow athletes in need. What an inspiring group of emerging leaders. I can’t wait to see the impact they make next!

Shoutout to New England Institute of Technology’s Tom Strolla and Mike Davis, alongside the very talented recording artist Vincent, for your incredible contributions to launching the Beyond the Medal Podcast. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Beyond The Medal Podcast Episode 6 | April 2026 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

It’s my favorite time of year… the 2026 Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games are just 24 days away! My friend Slade and I stopped by The Rhode Show to invite all Rhode Islanders to join in the excitement and celebrate the power of inclusion.

The Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games are right around the corner. Ed Pacheco and athlete Slade Manning joined Brendan Kirby - WPRI with all of the details today!

Find more at the link in the comments below.

Danny Comella and I have a few things in common—we both love Special Olympics and are big WWE fans. (Cue the entrance music!) He inspires me every day with his passion for life, the joy he brings to those around him, and the way he’s always smiling, no matter the circumstances.

Need a little inspiration? Look no further than Danny and his fellow athlete leaders. Be sure to check out their stories by clicking the link below.

⭐️ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: MEET DANIEL COMELLA ⭐️

Danny is a proud athlete of the East Greenwich Avengers, competing in basketball, volleyball, and bocce! 💪

A 2024 Pilgrim High School grad, Danny stays active in his community through work experiences and is now building his voice through Athlete Leadership University - where he’s focused on becoming a leader and role model for others.

Off the field, he’s part of a karate demo team and loves performing (and even creating his own WWE shows!).

For Danny, Special Olympics means continuing the sports he loves, growing as a leader, and making his family proud. ❤️

👉 Read Danny's full story here: https://specialolympicsri.org/meet-daniel-comella/