SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK TO LAUNCH ALL-NEW PERFORMANCE STATIONS AT WINTER GAMES
Interactive Stations Designed to Support Athlete Health & Wellness
Nearly 1,000 Athletes & Coaches from Across NYS to Attend Winter Games in Rochester Feb. 22-23
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
ROCHESTER, NY — Special Olympics New York will unveil its all-new performance stations at Winter Games in Rochester this week. The performance stations are a new component of the organization’s health and wellness initiative, designed to further ensure Special Olympics New York athletes can be at their personal best when it comes time to compete.
The six-station circuit begins with Competition Readiness, where volunteers help athletes create a pre-competition routine. Athletes will then process through Nutrition, Hydration, Physical Activity and Mental Preparation Stations, where they will receive tips and tools tailored to higher performance in their sport. At the end of the circuit, athletes can share a commitment on a Pledge Wall, learn about Local Opportunities that offer products or services to help them be successful, and sign on to #Fit5NY, a Special Olympics New York program and online community that encourages daily nutrition, hydration, and fitness.
“We are so proud of our Winter Games athletes. They have worked hard and trained all year to reach this statewide competition, and we want to give them everything they need to perform at their very best,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “Thank you to all of the volunteer clinicians and medical students who will staff our Performance Stations and health screenings, and to our many sponsors who have donated their products, time, and expertise to the health and wellness initiatives taking place at Winter Games.”
Performance Stations will be set up at Riverside Convention Center Friday, prior to opening ceremonies, and again all day Saturday, near each of the competitions at various venues throughout Rochester.
In addition to the performance stations, Winter Games will also have free Healthy Athletes screenings for athletes in several disciplines including dentistry, audiology, podiatry, physical fitness, general wellness and mental health. The Healthy Athletes program, which is offered at all major Special Olympics New York events, provides athletes with on site screening, treatment when possible, and referral to a specialist when necessary.
“Our Healthy Athlete screenings provide an incredible service for all who participate. In addition to preventing the development of major health issues through the screening itself, athletes have an opportunity to leave with prescription eye glasses or hearing aids, right on the spot,” said Hengsterman. “The screenings also give local medical professionals and students an opportunity to receive training and gain experience working with people with intellectual disabilities – one of the most underserved population in terms of quality healthcare.”
Nearly 1,000 athletes and coaches from across New York state will participate in Winter Games in Rochester Friday and Saturday this week, competing in in six winter sports: Alpine & Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing. A full schedule of events for the Winter Games is available online.
The Winter Games begin at 8 p.m. Friday, February 22, with Opening Ceremonies at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, which will also serve as host of the Floor Hockey competition. Competitions will also take place Saturday at Swain Resort (Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding), Genesee Valley Sports Complex (Figure Skating), Bristol Mountain Ski Resort (Cross Country Skiing), and Cobbs Hill Park (Snowshoe).
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About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is the largest statewide Special Olympics chapter in the country, serving nearly 68,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with nearly 150 schools statewide to offer unified sports. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. Learn more at www.specialolympicsNY.org and #SpecialOlympicsNY.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Robyn Armando, Vice President Marketing & Communications, (518) 588-3459, rarmando@nyso.org
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