Red Baron releases short film on three Special Olympics gymnasts

By AI, Created 5:27 AM UTC, June 03, 2026, /AGP/ – Red Baron launched SOARING on June 3, a short documentary narrated by Shawn Johnson East that follows three female Special Olympics gymnasts ahead of the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis. The film spotlights athlete resilience, community impact and the role sport can play in changing perceptions of disability.

Why it matters: - SOARING puts national attention on three Special Olympics athletes and the broader impact of inclusive sports storytelling. - The film ties Red Baron’s sponsorship of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games to a public campaign built around athlete resilience, visibility and community. - The release also extends the lead-up to the June 20-26 Games in Minneapolis, where nearly 3,000 athletes from all 50 states will compete.

What happened: - Red Baron released SOARING, a short-film documentary, on June 3, 2026. - The film is streaming on YouTube and at redbaron.com/soaring. - Shawn Johnson East, a four-time Olympic medalist and Special Olympics Ambassador, narrates the film. - SOARING follows Paige Trombley, Elizabeth “Liz” Viele and Jenny Hill as they prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The details: - The documentary centers on the athletes’ courage, resilience, joy and years of competition. - The film ends with a private training session with Johnson East. - Johnson East said the athletes inspired her and reminded her why gymnastics matters. - Paige Trombley is returning from injury and has competed in Special Olympics since high school. - Paige Trombley has earned recognition from Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics Minnesota. - Paige Trombley also works full time at a school, advocates for children with autism and is writing her first book. - Elizabeth “Liz” Viele is making her Special Olympics USA Games debut. - Liz Viele has competed in Special Olympics since the 1990s in basketball, gymnastics, bowling, cross-country skiing, flag football and softball. - Liz Viele is targeting gymnastics bars after nearly three decades of weight training. - Liz Viele also serves as a Special Olympics Health Messenger focused on health and wellness. - Jenny Hill is returning for her second Special Olympics USA Games. - Jenny Hill has competed in Special Olympics for more than 27 years in golf, basketball, bocce, swimming, gymnastics, softball, powerlifting, bowling and figure skating. - Jenny Hill and her family credit Special Olympics with helping her move from being nonverbal to speaking up and telling her own story.

Between the lines: - Red Baron is using the film to connect a consumer brand with a values-driven message about inclusion and athlete empowerment. - Johnson East’s involvement gives the project both athletic credibility and wider reach. - The athlete profiles emphasize that Special Olympics stories are not only about competition. They are also about work, advocacy, communication and personal growth.

What’s next: - The athletes will compete at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games from June 20-26 in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. - Events will be held at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. - Red Baron said it will continue using its platform to elevate stories that bring people together and celebrate athlete potential. - Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East are set to release their first co-authored book, The Courage To Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something, in June.

The bottom line: - SOARING turns a sponsorship into a focused documentary on perseverance, and gives three Special Olympics gymnasts a bigger stage just before the USA Games.