A Lifetime of Inclusion: Loree DeArmond’s Special Olympics Journey
Written by Rudy DeArmond, contributor to the Warren County Way.
Special Olympics has always been about more than medals. Nobody knows the more than Loree DeAarmond.
Special Olympics was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who wanted her sister, Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability, to participate in sports along with peers who also had intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is a year-round organization where athletes have the opportunity to compete at the local, state, national and international levels.
Special Olympics was created to promote inclusion and acceptance for all athletes. This also means protecting the integrity of the games by providing equal opportunity and fair competition among the athletes who participate.
DeArmond, a teacher at Warren County High School, has participated in, coached and volunteered with Special Olympics for many years. DeArmond also serves as Co-Director for Area 9, which is made up of 13 counties. Through her leadership, her students have opportunities to be included at every level of Special Olympics, from area and state competitions to national and world events.
Loree DeArmond, second from left, is pictured epresenting Special Olympics Tennessee at #SOHillDay in 2025! Photo from the Special Olympics Tennessee Facebook page.
DeArmond has her students participate in unified sports at school, where athletes with and without disabilities come together to compete on the same team. The school's unified basketball team recently competed at Lipscomb University during the State Games and has earned gold medals for three consecutive years, continuing its tradition of success.
She also takes students to the Winter Games at Ober Gatlinburg, where they can compete in snowboarding, snow skiing, ice skating and 3-on-3 basketball. Students regularly return home with gold, silver and bronze medals from each Special Olympics event they attend.
This summer, DeArmond has been selected to serve as the bocce head coach for Team Tennessee at the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota.
“I want to bring back the excitement of meaningful competition for athletes of all abilities. I want my athletes to see that there are things bigger than the local and state level for them, and we are looking forward to hosting the national Special Olympics in Nashville in 2034,” said DeArmond.
She said being selected as head coach means a great deal to her and that she is honored by the opportunity.
Team Tennessee will include approximately 120 athletes, coaches, medical staff and support personnel. DeArmond will also be joined by other delegates from Area 9 who were selected for the USA Games, including Nina Weston, powerlifting head coach; Chuck Catalfu, pickleball head coach; and Dakota Davis, a powerlifting athlete.
As they prepare for competition, we wish them luck in their travels, their events and their pursuit of success at the 2026 USA Games.
