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Public Schedule: Special Olympics New York State Summer Games June 14 & 15

1,200 Athletes & Coaches To Compete in Largest State Competition of 2024

Ithaca, NY – More than 1,200 Special Olympics New York athletes and coaches from throughout New York will be in Broome and Tompkins Counties for State Summer Games, Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15.

“This is the weekend our athletes from all across the state have been training for. State Summer Games competition will be fierce as athletes go for the gold in 8 sports,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “Excitement is at all-time high as we look forward to celebrating inclusion with the Ithaca community and the thousands of volunteers who have supported our athletes over the last three years.”

Venues hosting the Games are: Ithaca College (Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Swimming, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Volleyball); Ithaca High School (Track & Field); Midway Lanes (Bowling); and Cornell University (Basketball, Tennis).

The 2024 State Summer Games in Ithaca and 2024 State Fall Games in Glens Falls will be used as qualifying rounds for athletes hoping to compete at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

All State Summer Games events are OPEN PRESS and free to attend. The public schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Young Athletes Festival

Friday, June 14, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ithaca College, Outdoor Quad, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca

Local Pre-K and elementary school students with and without disabilities will experience Special Olympics New York’s signature Young Athletes Program, with assistance from high school student volunteers who participate in Unified Sports Inclusive Youth Leadership programming throughout the school year.

Fitness Performance Stations

Friday, June 14, 5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca

Athletes will visit Performance Stations to learn about how fitness and nutrition contribute to improved sport performance. Stations staffed by local sponsors and healthcare volunteers include focuses on physical activity/stretching, nutrition, hydration, and goal setting/positive mindset.

State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies

Friday, June 14, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca

Special Olympics New York’s signature kick-off will include the parade of athletes, remarks by President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman, local officials and athlete representatives as well as the traditional Law Enforcement Torch Run and lighting of the cauldron.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

State Summer Games Sports Competitions

Saturday, June 15, approximately 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Track & Field, Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
  • Basketball, Cornell University (Barton Hall, Gyms 1&2), 117 Statler Drive, Ithaca
  • Bowling, Midway Lanes, 213 N. Jensen Rd., Vestal
  • Gymnastics, Ithaca College (Hill Center), 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca
  • Powerlifting, Ithaca College (Fitness Center), 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca (LIVESTREAM)
  • Swimming, Ithaca College (A&E Center Natatorium), 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca
  • Tennis, Cornell University (Reis Tennis Center), 230 Pine Tree Rd., Ithaca
  • Volleyball, Ithaca College (Hill Center), 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca

Healthy Athletes Screenings

Saturday, June 15, 5:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca

Athletes participating in the Games will receive free health screenings from volunteer medical professionals and students. Health disciplines represented will be Healthy Hearing (Audiology), Health Promotion (General Health/Nutrition), FUNFitness (Physical Therapy), Opening Eyes (Vision), Special Smiles (Dentistry) and Strong Minds (Emotional/Behavioral Health).

Closing Ceremonies & Victory Dance

Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca

Athletes, coaches and volunteers come together one final time to celebrate the achievements, show off their medals and participate in a traditional Victory Dance with music by DJ Double A before extinguishing the Flame of Hope to mark the official closing of the Games.

State Summer Games is sponsored by: Tompkins County (lead sponsor), Bonide, BorgWarner, Broome County, Cayuga Health System, Challenge Solutions, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Chobani, Coughlin & Gerhart, NYS Department of Civil Service, Elks Lodge, Gallagher, Guthrie, New York Islanders, NYAble, NYCM Insurance, and New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). Volunteer or make a donation to support the Games HERE.

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