Move United, the leader in community sports and recreation for people with disabilities, has selected Grand Rapids, Michigan as the site for the 2025 and 2026 Hartford Nationals.

Throughout its storied history, Move United has empowered 125,000 youth and adults with disabilities to reach their full potential each year through its 240 affiliates in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

The Hartford Nationals is the largest and longest-running national sports championship for athletes with physical, visual or intellectual disabilities.

The 2025 event, scheduled for 11-17 July, will be the 68th edition and is locally coordinated by the West Michigan Sports Commission.

To compete, athletes must qualify at one of more than 30 local or regional competitions sanctioned by Move United, a national governing body, a high school athletic association or another Move United-approved event held across the country.

The national competition for adult athletes, which dates back to 1957, continued until 1995. Youth athletes were allowed to compete from 1985 and this event continues to this day. The two events will be merged in 2023, allowing youth and adult athletes, warfighters and Paralympians to compete in the same event.

"We are focused on leading a movement that fully integrates people with disabilities into American society, using sport to challenge perceptions and redefine what is possible for youth and adults with disabilities," said Glenn Merry, executive director of Move United.

"Athletes just want to compete, and this event provides an opportunity for adaptive athletes to show themselves and the world what they can do," Merry concluded.

It is estimated that a total of 400 athletes with disabilities and more than 150 coaches from 34 states and the District of Columbia participated in this year's event, with those numbers expected to grow in 2025.

As in previous years, the week-long event includes competitions, clinics, educational and social opportunities. Sports on offer include archery, para-powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field and wheelchair tennis.

The national bidding process concluded with Move United selecting Grand Rapids to host the 2025 and 2026 Games. "We chose Grand Rapids based on the reputation and experience of the West Michigan Sports Commission and the fact that we have a strong affiliate there, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports," said Merry.

This will be the second time the event has been held in Michigan, with Saginaw hosting in 2011, and the first time it has been held in the western part of the northern United States.

The local organising committee is led by the West Michigan Sports Commission. "We are thrilled to host the 2025 and 2026 Hartford Nationals and their athletes in Grand Rapids, a city that has made great strides in promoting accessibility for all," said Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission, which bid, won and is organising the event. "Home to programmes like Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and facilities like Special Olympics Michigan, Grand Rapids is committed to meeting the needs of athletes with disabilities like those who will compete at the Hartford Nationals."