Trenton-Mercer Named Host Airport for 2014 National Special Olympics

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Mercer County administration

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes on Tuesday announced that Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) has been selected as the Host Airport for the 2014 Special Olympics USA National Games to be held in Mercer County from June 14, 2014, to June 21, 2014.

The selection was first announced by Cessna Aircraft Co. officials at the 65th annual National Business Aviation Association Convention in Orlando, Fla.

With the selection of New Jersey as the site of the 2014 Games, Cessna started looking at area airports that could host the Citation Special Olympics Airlift.

This airlift, made up of volunteer pilots and their companies’ Cessna Citation aircraft, provides athletes and coaches with round-trip flights from their hometowns to the site of the competition.

Working with the Special Olympics, Cessna Aircraft Co. started this volunteer effort in 1985 and continues to spearhead it today. Cessna selected Trenton-Mercer Airport due to its great aviation facilities and proximity to the athletic events, which will take place at various sites in Mercer County.

It is expected that more than 200 aircraft will be involved in the transportation of athletes to and from TTN for the games. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the airport and the county as a whole,” Hughes said. “The Special Olympics is an internationally known organization dedicated to helping challenged children meet their fullest potential on the field of competition and in life. Being part of this effort is a calling of the highest order, and we readily accept the challenge.

“We have a great airport, and we know it,” the county executive added. “TTN’s selection by Cessna helps to underline that fact to a much broader audience.”

Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics provides sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Special Olympics New Jersey is headquartered in Lawrence Township. 

Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered more than 193,500 airplanes around the globe, including more than 6,300 Citation business jets.