President Donald Trump traveled to Geneva, Ohio, on Tuesday to witness the crowning of the first-ever Patriot Games champions, a competition his administration launched to spotlight youth athletics and enforce strict biological sex divisions in sports.
Kennadi Fuhrman, a high school soccer player from Kansas, took the female title, while Rockwell Myers, a Utah rock climber and ballroom dancer, won the male division, according to ESPN. Each received a $125,000 scholarship prize after three days of competition at SPIRE Academy.
Trump, speaking live with ESPN's Laura Rutledge, praised the event's atmosphere. "Good finale. This has been as exciting as anything, I got here and I didn't know what to expect," he said. "The parents are so proud of their children and I really am very proud of the group of people in this room, you see the spirit and the love of the country, our great country, and our country has never done better."
The president was joined by sports commentator Pat McAfee and Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), both of whom touted the event's emphasis on sportsmanship and patriotism. McAfee wrote on X that he had "a BLAST celebrating high schoolers from across the country with the Heads of Disney, ABC, ESPN, and... The United States Of America." He added, "I'm proud of all parties getting behind this important initiative to keep future generations excited about remaining active. Cheers to the incredible contestants and to next year's Patriot Games."
Moreno echoed those sentiments, saying, "It was an honor to be with President Trump today in Geneva, Ohio for the 2026 Patriot Games. These athletes truly represent the best of America: merit, perseverance, integrity, patriotism, and an unwavering belief in God."
The winners themselves credited their passion for sports for their success. Fuhrman, a senior at De Soto High School, and Myers, a competitive climber and dancer, both said the experience exceeded expectations. Myers told The Deseret News, "I thought it was going to be stressful when they invited me, and I thought I was going to be nervous and whatnot. But they have done an amazing job here in Ohio to make all the athletes feel confident in themselves, to feel ready for what's in front of them and to prepare them for what's next."
He also noted the camaraderie among competitors: "We all want what's best for each other, even though we're competing against each other."
The event marks a continuation of the administration's push to keep biological males out of female sports, a policy that has sparked debate nationwide. The Patriot Games, which the president headlined in Ohio, are part of a broader effort to reshape youth athletics. Trump's involvement in sports policy has been a recurring theme, including his recent comments on emergency powers that have drawn attention from political observers.
