As the world prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics, Special Olympics New York is hard at work providing athletic experiences for those with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics New York offers free sports training, competitions, in-school programming, athlete health initiatives, and leadership training to athletes facing a myriad of intellectual disabilities. Learn more about their work here!
What is the history of Special Olympics New York?
Dorothy Buehring Phillips established Special Olympics New York in 1969. That year, we sent a delegation of athletes and coaches to the Northeast Regional Special Olympics competition in Boston, Mass. In 1970, the organization was fully incorporated, Phillips was named the first state director and the first State Summer Games took place in Rochester. Today, New York is among the largest Special Olympics programs in North America. We are headquartered in the Capital Region and operate offices throughout the state.
What is the mission of Special Olympics New York?
Every competitive athlete, no matter what their abilities, shares certain qualities. Through sports training and competition, Special Olympics New York offers continuing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities and their unified partners to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience the joy of achievement and make new friends. Participation in our programs is free to registered athletes. We cover the costs of insurance, facilities, equipment, uniforms, awards, housing and meals at events, and more. Special Olympics New York rules support the widest range of abilities possible, giving all athletes a level playing field.
Who is participating in your programs?
Special Olympics New York works with athletes with disabilities and provides a training ground where their drive, perseverance, and confidence are able to grow. We operate in nine regions across the state and 6,000 certified coaches. We have 45,000 athletes in training and competition each year. Our programs cover 22 Olympic sports and we host 800 competitive experiences every year. Athletes are able to advance from local, to regional, to state, to national, to international competitions.
Can you tell me about your sports and competitions?
Our sports include basketball, bowling, cycling, distance running, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, skating, skiing, snowboarding, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and more. For athletes of all abilities, competition is an opportunity to challenge themselves, measure their progress and test their skills. The fundamental difference in Special Olympics New York competitions is that athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate. Competitions are structured so that athletes compete with others of similar ability. While every athlete will not win, each athlete will be recognized for his or her participation, no matter where he or she places.
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