{
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    "slug": "special-olympics-fills-anchorage",
    "headline": "Special Olympics fills Anchorage",
    "deck": "The 2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games brought athletes from across the state to Anchorage for three days of competition.",
    "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/story/special-olympics-fills-anchorage",
    "section": "Life",
    "area": "Anchorage",
    "published_at": "2026-03-17T20:00:00+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:26:35.82003+00:00",
    "body_md": "The 2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games brought athletes from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, and the Mat-Su to Anchorage for three days of competition. Events were held at Hilltop Ski Area, East High School, and Clark Middle School, with alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and floor hockey all part of the schedule.\n\nAthletes spent months training in their home communities before qualifying for the state games. The weekend gave competitors a chance to test their skills, meet other athletes, and celebrate what they had accomplished over the season.\n\nThis year's games also marked the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which were held in Anchorage and drew athletes from more than 80 countries.\n\nFor many athletes and their families, the Winter Games are as much about community and connection as they are about winning.",
    "sources": [
      {
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    "slug": "special-olympics-fills-anchorage",
    "summary": "The 2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games, a three day event, brought athletes from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, and the Mat-Su to Anchorage for competition at Hilltop Ski Area, East High School, and Clark Middle School, marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games.",
    "key_facts": [
      "The 2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games were a three day competition held in Anchorage.",
      "Athletes traveled from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, and the Mat-Su.",
      "Alpine skiing and snowboarding were held at Hilltop Ski Area, cross country skiing and snowshoeing at East High School, and floor hockey at Clark Middle School.",
      "This year's games marked the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which drew athletes from more than 80 countries to Anchorage."
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "In Anchorage at Hilltop Ski Area, East High School, and Clark Middle School.",
        "q": "Where did the 2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games happen?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Three days.",
        "q": "How long were the 2026 Special Olympics Winter Games?"
      },
      {
        "a": "The 25th anniversary of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which brought athletes from more than 80 countries to Anchorage.",
        "q": "What anniversary did the 2026 games mark?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Athletes from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, and the Mat-Su who qualified through training in their home communities.",
        "q": "Who competed in the 2026 Winter Games?"
      }
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    "claims": [
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        "claim": "The 2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games were a three day competition held in Anchorage.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
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      {
        "claim": "Events were held at Hilltop Ski Area, East High School, and Clark Middle School.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
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        "source_label": "alaskasnewssource.com"
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      {
        "claim": "The 2026 games marked the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which drew athletes from more than 80 countries to Anchorage.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/03/09/special-olympics-alaska-2026-winter-games-foster-competition-camaraderie/",
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        "area": "Anchorage",
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        "name": "Fairbanks"
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      {
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        "kind": "facility",
        "name": "Hilltop Ski Area"
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      {
        "area": "Anchorage",
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        "name": "East High School"
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      {
        "area": "Anchorage",
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        "name": "Clark Middle School"
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    "organizations": [
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        "kind": "nonprofit",
        "name": "Special Olympics Alaska"
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      {
        "kind": "school",
        "name": "East High School"
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    "event_dates": [
      {
        "date": "2026-03",
        "label": "2026 Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games"
      },
      {
        "date": "2001",
        "label": "2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games"
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    "disclosure": "Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing.",
    "generated_at": "2026-10-01T05:29:13.699+00:00",
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