USATFSC Creates New Para Meet

Your USATF South Carolina Association (USATFSC) does it again!

According to Our Mission Statement, we promote athletics — particularly track & field — at all ages and levels through South Carolina (and beyond). We promote athletics and conduct fair competitions, we generate public awareness, appreciation, and support for athletics, and we create opportunities for athletes.

Well, we looked around and noticed there are very few para athletic track and field events in South Carolina. There is of course the popular Palmetto Games hosted at Clemson University, which is a multi-sport competition in mid-April which includes  Archery, Boccia, Para powerlifting, Paratriathlon, Shooting, Swimming, Track & Field, & Wheelchair Tennis. (Though the Palmetto Games  is not a USATFSC event, USATFSC does assist by helping recruit and provide Officials, which aligns with Our Mission of promoting athletics.) Outside of South Carolina, the next closest thing is the Peachtree Paragames (also a multi-sport competition) in Atlanta, Georgia, in mid-June.

So, at USATFSC, we decide to create a new opportunity for Para track & field athletes. With the Palmetto Games in mid-April, and the the Peachtree Paragames in mid-June, and the Hartford Nationals in mid-July, we saw the opportunity to create a new Para competition in late May. Since we are the USA Track & Field South Carolina Association, and Track & Field is in our name, we decided to focus on a what we know — track & field. Hence, the Florence Flamingo Games was born! The inaugural meet will be held May 30, 2026 in Florence, SC.

The Florence Flamingo Games
Saturday, May 30, 2026
9am – 4pm

Florence Sports Complex
1200 Jennie O’Bryan Avenue
Florence, SC 29501

In keeping with our mission of promoting athletics, raising public awareness, and creating opportunities for athletes, USATFSC has created the Florence Flamingo Games, a new annual high quality track & field competition for para athletes of all ages. This is a L3 (Level 3) meet, meaning athletes can set records!

Though your USATFSC created the Florence Flamingo Games, a high quality meet does require help and cooperationfrom others. We would like to to thank:

• The City of Florence, a partner with UASTFSC for several years, has been key to this meet by allowing the meet to be hosted at their fantastic Florence Sports Complex.
• TimingInc (and Brett Collins), also with a long relationship with USATFSC, is providing professional timing for the meet.
• Jasmine Townsend (Clemson Adaptive Sports and Recreation) and Jessie Cloy (Move United) have been very helpful in raising visibility and getting this meet on the Move United calendar.
• The Florence Flamingos baseball organization has been kind enough to offer a special $11 deal for athletes. The Florence Flamingos are playing a baseball game Saturday evening after the Florence Flamingo Games concludes. The $11 deal is admission into the baseball game, a hat, and a meal!
• Brian “Big Country” Conwell, for helping promote Florence Flamingo Games in the para community.
• And Thank You to quite a few others (and that list keeps growing) that are working to make Florence Flamingo Games possible.

What can you do the help with the Florence Flamingo Games?

• Financial contributions: Often times, Para meets require athletes to provide their own equipment and implements. With the Florence Flamingo Games, USATFSC is trying to raise awareness and provide competition opportunities for Para Athletes, including some that may have never competed. So, USATFSC is providing equipment such as a throwing platform and throw frame for seated throwers, as well as some meet-specific implements. Companies, organizations, or even individuals can make financial contributions. Simply send an email to [email protected].
• Officials: Sign up to officiate at the Florence Flamingo Games. You do not have to have Para Officiating experience — we will train you! Of course, we will have a strong teams of experience Para Officials, but we also want to raise awareness of Para to Officials.
• Volunteers: Come volunteer at the Florence Flamingo Games. Spectators: With the Florence Flamingo Games, USATFSC and our partners are trying to raise awareness of Para Athletics. Come out ans watch some great performances by some outstanding athletes!
• Promote: Help get the word out! Help promote the  Florence Flamingo Games.