What to know about Trump's Patriot Games for high school athletes
Two teenagers from each state are competing as part of the celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Ohio to observe high school students participating in the Patriot Games, a sports event initiated by his administration to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America's founding.
The competition features teenagers aged 14 to 17, with two individuals selected from each U.S. state. The games are being held in Geneva, a city situated approximately 50 miles (80km) north of Cleveland. Additionally, participants from some military bases, Native American tribes, and U.S. territories are also involved.
To qualify, competitors had to answer questions related to American patriotism. The victors, one boy and one girl, will each be awarded $125,000 (£93,000) in scholarship funds.
On Tuesday, Trump will be present for the final day of the games, where the top 32 athletes will compete in the concluding round. The event, which commenced on Sunday, is taking place at SPIRE Academy, a sports training facility and boarding school.
The White House-supported non-profit organization Freedom 250 is hosting the games. This group has also organized other events to coincide with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, including a UFC fight at the White House last month and the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Danielle Alvarez, spokeswoman for Freedom 250, stated, "The 2026 Patriot Games is about more than competition, they're about the grit, character, and optimism that have carried America for over 250 years. These young athletes represent the very best of who we are and the promise of what's still to come."
The competition includes various events such as track and field activities, dodgeball, and kickball, a team sport that combines elements of baseball and soccer.
The games are being broadcast live on ESPN, with a one-hour special scheduled to air on the ABC network this Thursday at 21:00 EDT (01:00 GMT Friday). The Walt Disney Company, which owns both ABC and ESPN, is currently under investigation by the Trump administration.
Trump has emphasized sports during his second term, becoming the first president to attend a Super Bowl and also attending the NBA and World Cup finals.
The Patriot Games have drawn criticism from Trump's detractors, who have raised concerns about a lack of diversity or drawn comparisons to the fictional "Hunger Games" series, where two teenagers from each state are chosen to fight to the death.