The US National Special Olympics or Special Abilities Teams are comprised of the most talented cheerleaders in America living with intellectual disabilities.
USA Special Olympics and Special Abilities Cheer or Performance Cheer Teams are chosen as a group to represent the United States in international competition. All Special Olympics (SO) & Special Abilities (SA) Traditional Teams must be comprised of 100% Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (ID). All Special Olympics (SO) Unified Teams must be comprised of a 1:1 ratio of Athletes with and without an Intellectual Disability (ID). All Special Abilities (SA) Unified Teams must be comprised of 50% or more of Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (ID).

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2025 SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES

SPECIAL OLYMPICS/ABILITIES COACHING STAFF

USA CHEER ADAPTIVE DIRECTOR • LEE TRUDELL

Lee Trudell has been in the cheer and dance industry for over 30 years as a cheerleader, camp instructor, UCA Territory Manager, Varsity Judge, USASF Credentialer, AACCA certifier, choreographer, international instructor/choreographer, and Rules Judge and contributor. He most recently contributed to a GMA3 segment on adaptive sports telecast in April 2024 (Good Morning America). Since 2017, Lee started ParaCheer Spirit nfp to provide opportunities for athletes with and without disabilities to work together, side by side, in their passion of sport. In addition to creating the visibility of what disabled athletes CAN DO, he has been instrumental in advocating for the similarity of adaptive cheer /dance, and the adaptive elements available for Level 0 through Level 4. He is currently the Special Olympics North America Advisor, Special Olympics International Committee Member, Director of Adaptive Sports for USACheer, International Cheer Union Advisor for ParaSport Cheer, and Director /Founder ParaCheer Spirit NFP. In addition, his coaching and choreography has several International and World Championships Titles. His mission is to assist programs to develop adaptive cheer /dance across the US to provide opportunities for advanced and elite athletes toward an elite athletic dream.