ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Hundreds of athletes are set to compete in seven different sports across the Rochester area on Saturday for the New York State Winter Games of the Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics kicks off on Friday with an opening ceremony at the Riverside Convention Center from 7 to 8 p.m. It will include a parade of athletes, the traditional Law Enforcement Torch Run, lighting of the cauldron, and more.
Then, on Saturday, several local venues will host competitions for around 900 athletes. The competitions, which are all free and open to the public, run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here’s the list:
- Alpine skiing and snowboarding: Swain Mountain
- Snowshoe and cross-country skiing: Bristol Mountain
- Figure skating: Tim Horton’s Ice Complex
- Floorball: Nazareth Golisano Training Center
- Gymnastics: Town of Henrietta Recreation Center
There will also be free health screenings for the athletes happening at the convention center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. FUNFitness, Special Smiles, Opening Eyes, Strong Minds, and Health Promotion will all be there.
To celebrate the athletes, there will be a closing ceremony and a victory dance at the convention center. It runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Special Olympics New York is considered the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 48,000 athletes with year-round training, competition, and health screenings. All programs are offered at no cost to athletes or their families. You can donate to support the Special Olympics here.
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