by Brandy Muz | Jun 30, 2026
The swimmer, who is on the EG Special Olympics team, earned bronze in a relay, as well as scoring a personal best
Originally published by East Greenwich News, an Ocean State Stories partner.
For East Greenwich native Charlie Kolb, swimming has always been about moving forward — and moving fast.
The 20-year-old earned the opportunity to represent Rhode Island in swimming at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota after a standout performance at the Rhode Island Special Olympics State Games, where he won gold medals in freestyle and a relay event and added a bronze in backstroke.
“I like freestyle,” Charlie said before the competition. “I like going forward.”
After a week of competition, celebration, and new experiences, Charlie returned home with more than medals. He swam a personal-best time in the backstroke, shaving eight seconds off his previous best, and helped Team Rhode Island earn a bronze medal in the relay.
Charlie also took home seventh in freestyle and sixth in backstroke.
“Charlie had a great week,” his mother, Staci Kolb, said. “He swam great in his freestyle race; he swam his personal best on his backstroke, knocking eight seconds off his best time. And they won a bronze medal in the relay. It was an incredible week.”
The USA Games, held June 20-26 in Minnesota, brought together thousands of athletes from across all 50 states to compete in a variety of sports.
Swimming has been part of Charlie’s life since childhood. He joined Special Olympics when he was 8 years old and has spent more than a decade training and competing. Although he has also participated in volleyball, basketball, bocce, golf, tennis and pickleball, swimming became his primary focus as he prepared for his first USA Games.
In the months leading up to nationals, Charlie trained in the pool three days a week, worked out with teammates, and spent additional time exercising.
“You can see a big difference from last year to this year,” Staci said before the games. “It’s just amazing to see him grow and mature.”
The trip to Minnesota included several milestones beyond the competition. Charlie traveled aboard a charter flight with fellow athletes, stayed in college dormitories during the weeklong event, and celebrated his 21st birthday during the games.
“He also turned 21 and had a birthday party with his teammates at the Mall of America,” Staci said.
Although he didn’t bring home individual gold, his family said the week’s accomplishments extended far beyond the podium.
“Minneapolis was such a gracious host city,” Staci said. “An experience we will never forget.”
She said the experience reflected the values that make the Special Olympics unique.
“It was about inclusion, dignity, hard work, and perseverance. It was really everything that is right in this world. You can’t imagine how full my heart is.”
As for Charlie, his plans moving forward remain unchanged.
“I’m going to keep swimming,” he said.
