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Public Schedule: Special Olympics NY State Winter Games Feb. 21–22

900 Athletes from Across New York To ‘Go for the Gold’ in Monroe County

Outstanding Coach of the Year Award to Be Announced at Opening Ceremonies

Rochester, NY – The 2025 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games will return to Rochester, Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22. Approximately 900 athletes and coaches from throughout the state will compete in 7 sports: Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floorball, Gymnastics, Snowboarding and Snowshoe.

The Games kick off Friday evening with Special Olympics New York’s signature Opening Ceremonies at the Riverside Convention Center, beginning at 7 p.m.. The winner of the 2025 Outstanding Coach of the Year Award, for which a volunteer coach from every region of the state was nominated, will be announced during the ceremony.

“Our athletes throughout New York have been training for this weekend’s competition all season long, and I know they’ll be bringing their best effort as they go for the gold,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “We are thrilled to be back in Monroe County for State Winter Games not only in 2025 but for three consecutive years. This is a community that so clearly values the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Thank you to the local leaders, our sponsors and the hundreds of volunteers who are making the Games possible for our athletes.”

All of the following State Winter Games events are free and open to the public.

State Winter Games Opening Ceremonies

  • Friday, Feb. 21, 7 – 8 p.m.
  • Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St., Rochester

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

Olympic Village: Healthy Athletes Screenings

  • Saturday, Feb. 22, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St., Rochester

Athletes participating in the Games will receive free health screenings from volunteer medical professionals and students prior to Opening Ceremonies. Multiple health disciplines will be represented – FUNFitness (Physiotherapy), Special Smiles (Dentistry), Opening Eyes (Vision), Strong Minds (Emotional/Behavioral Health) and Health Promotion (General Health Education).

State Winter Games Sports Competitions

  • Saturday, Feb. 22, approximately 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding: Swain Mountain, 2275 Co Rd 24, Swain
  • Cross County Skiing (Level 1): Bristol Mountain Top, 5589 S Hill Rd, Canandaigua
  • Figure Skating: Tim Horton’s Ice Complex, 2700 Brighton Henrietta Townline Rd, Rochester
  • Floorball: Nazareth Golisano Training Center, 4245 East Ave, Rochester
  • Gymnastics: Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept, 605 Calkins Rd., Henrietta
  • Snowshoe & Cross Country Skiing (Level 2): Rochester Community Sports Complex, 460 Oak St, Rochester

Closing Ceremonies & Victory Dance

  • Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 – 9 p.m.
  • Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main St., Rochester
  • Celebrate with our athletes as they come back together for Closing Ceremonies and the victory dance! Find out who won the gold, silver and bronze medals in each of our 7 State Winter Games sports.

State Winter Games are provided for athletes at no cost to them, their families or caregivers. Sponsoring the Games are: Chobani, Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, Elks Major Projects, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Gallagher, Golisano Foundation, M&T Bank, Monroe County, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, NY Able, NYSID, Rochester Sports Commission / Visit Rochester, Tim Horton’s, Wegmans, West Herr, Woods Oviatt & Gilman, and WXXI.

Additional donations to support the Games can be made online, HERE.

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