Beyond the Finish Line: How High-Tech Foot Care Will Empower Special Olympics Athletes

TEANECK, NJ – April 15, 2026 – As thousands of athletes prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, a new partnership aims to provide them with a foundation for success, quite literally from the ground up. Aetrex, a global leader in foot-scanning technology, has joined forces with longtime retail partner and Games sponsor Tradehome Shoes to provide free, advanced 3D foot scans and complimentary performance orthotics to every participating athlete.

The initiative, set to take place at the Games in the Twin Cities from June 20-26, 2026, will leverage Aetrex's cutting-edge technology to address a frequently overlooked aspect of athletic performance and overall health for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Addressing a Critical Healthcare Gap

This partnership directly supports the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program, a global initiative created in 1997 to address the significant health disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities. Through free health screenings across various disciplines, the program bridges a critical healthcare gap. The podiatry division, known as Fit Feet, has uncovered staggering statistics over years of screenings.

Research from the Fit Feet program reveals that a majority of Special Olympics athletes contend with podiatric issues that can hinder performance and impact quality of life. Studies have shown that approximately 50-64% of athletes have gait abnormalities, while up to 51% wear the wrong size shoes. Furthermore, conditions like skin and nail problems (affecting up to 53%) and bone deformations (affecting up to 29%) are common. These issues can cause chronic pain, increase the risk of injury, and create barriers to an athlete's ability to train and compete comfortably.

By providing personalized foot health assessments, the Aetrex and Tradehome initiative aims to mitigate these challenges. The goal is to move beyond simple screenings and provide a tangible solution—a complimentary pair of Aetrex Speed Orthotics for each athlete—designed to improve biomechanical alignment, reduce fatigue, and help prevent injuries. This proactive approach ensures that athletes leave the Games not only with medals and memories but also with a crucial tool for their long-term health and mobility.

A Decade of Partnership Steps Onto a National Stage

The collaboration for the Special Olympics is a natural evolution of a nearly decade-long relationship between Aetrex and Tradehome Shoes. For years, Tradehome has integrated Aetrex’s AI-powered 3D scanning technology into its 'RealFit Experience,' a philosophy and fitting process designed to ensure customers find the perfect fit based on their unique foot profile.

This established synergy makes their joint effort at the USA Games a powerful extension of their shared mission. “Integrating Aetrex into this initiative was a natural choice for us. For nearly a decade, we've shared the mission to improve foot health,” said Mark Jacobson, VP of Store Personnel at Tradehome Shoes. “Bringing our collective foot knowledge and fitting expertise to the Games, in support of our 2026 Special Olympics sponsorship, allows us to support this global cause in a truly meaningful way.”

Twelve of Aetrex’s Albert Pro scanners will be stationed throughout the Athlete Village at the University of Minnesota, making the technology highly accessible. Athletes can receive a scan on a walk-up basis, receiving immediate, accurate data about their foot length, width, arch height, and pressure points, followed by a recommendation for their complimentary orthotics.

The Technology Behind the Support

The Albert Pro scanner is far more than a digital measuring tape. It is an all-in-one foot scanning solution that uses four Intel® RealSense™ 3D depth cameras and 5,184 gold-plated sensors to capture comprehensive data. In just seconds, it generates a detailed 3D model of the foot and creates a pressure map that identifies areas of high stress during standing and walking.

This wealth of data allows for a highly personalized orthotic recommendation. The Aetrex Speed Orthotics provided to athletes are specifically designed for high-impact activities. They feature a supportive shell that helps control overpronation and improve alignment, along with premium cushioning to absorb shock. For an athlete, this can translate into greater stability, increased comfort during long events, and a reduced likelihood of common sports-related injuries in the feet, knees, and back.

“Supporting the Special Olympics with Tradehome is about championing the mobility of an incredible community,” said Aetrex CEO, Larry Schwartz. “Our goal is to provide a foot health foundation that lets athletes focus on their passion with the confidence and personalized care they need to succeed.”

This initiative also extends to the wider community attending the Games. Fans and families can visit the Tradehome Shoes retail shop in the Olympic Village to experience the same 3D foot scanning technology and purchase their own recommended orthotics, with proceeds further supporting the cause.

This partnership reinforces Aetrex's long-standing mission to make advanced foot health accessible to all. The company has a documented history of donating footwear and orthotics to other underserved communities, including veterans and healthcare workers, through partnerships with organizations like The Arc. By bringing its premier technology to the Special Olympics USA Games, Aetrex is not just sponsoring an event but actively participating in the empowerment and well-being of its athletes.