Three Special Olympics gymnasts get the spotlight in new documentary

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A new short documentary called "Soaring" has debuted and it puts three female Special Olympics gymnasts in the spotlight as they train for the gold at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. The film is narrated by four-time Olympic medalist and Special Olympics Ambassador Shawn Johnson East, and is sponsored by Red Baron pizza. It’s streaming right now on YouTube and at redbaron.com/soaring.

The documentary follows three athletes named Paige Trombley, Liz Viele and Jenny Hill. Each of them talk about how they stay optimistic and how they push through their own struggles heading into the USA Games, which is scheduled for June 20 through 26 in the Twin Cities.

SOARING | RED BARON®

Trombley has been competing in Special Olympics since high school and works full time at a school while also advocating for children with autism and writing her first book. She has her sights set on the gymnastics gold even as she comes back from an injury.

Viele has competed in Special Olympics since the 1990s across a range of sports including basketball, bowling, gymnastics and softball. This summer she is focused on the gymnastics bars, and has almost 30 years of dedicated weight training. She also serves as a Special Olympics Health Messenger in her community.

Hill is competing at her second Special Olympics USA Games and has been active in the program for more than 27 years across sports including golf, swimming, powerlifting, figure skating and gymnastics. Her family credits the Special Olympics with helping her to communicate more and connect with others after she was previously nonverbal.

The documentary includes a surprise private training session with Johnson East, 33, who said working with the three athletes reminded her of what draws her to the sport. "These athletes don't just inspire people around them, they inspire me," Johnson East said. "Watching Paige, Liz, and Jenny chase their goals reminded me of everything I love about this sport and why it matters."

The 2026 USA Games will draw nearly 3,000 athletes from all 50 states competing across 16 sports at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center north of the Twin Cities.

The USA Games are considered one of the biggest domestic sporting events of 2026, with athletes from every state participating in 16 Olympic-style sports. For the three gymnasts featured in Soaring, it represents the biggest stage of their athletic lives.

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