New York
New York Special Olympics athletes are truly the greatest athletes in the world. Sure, they all want to win, but our athletes know something that many other athletes do not. Winning is not everything -- competing and giving the best effort -- this is what makes an athlete great.
The Power of Sport. For every Special Olympics athlete, there are many more waiting for their chance.Donate Today - Please visit www.specialolympicsNY.org
Our mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community.
History and Mission
Our founder, Dorothy Buehring Phillips, established the Special Olympics New York program in 1969 and later that year sent a delegation of athletes and coaches to the Northeast Special Olympics competition in Boston, Massachusetts. Special Olympics was fully incorporated in 1970 and Phillips was appointed the first State Director. The first State Summer Games were held in Rochester in June 1970.
Our mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Program
Special Olympics New York currently serves more than 51,000 athletes throughout the state. They train for weeks and months to prepare for local, regional and statewide competition. They are supported by more than 4,200 certified coaches and 31,000 event volunteers. Athletes are never charged to participate in our programs.
Sports Training and Competition
Through sports training and competition, children and adults with intellectual disabilities find joy, acceptance and success. They become empowered by their accomplishments and are recognized for their abilities rather than their disabilities.
Special Olympics New York has its headquarters in Schenectady, with offices in the Long Island, New York City, Hudson Valley, Central, Western, Capital and Genesee regions.
Areas Served
Albany County, Allegany County, Bronx County, Broome County, Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chautauqua County, Chemung County, Chenango County, Clinton County, Columbia County, Cortland County, Delaware County Dutchess County, Erie County, Essex County, Franklin County, Fulton County, Genesee County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Herkimer County, Jefferson County, Kings County, Lewis County, Livingston County, Madison County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Nassau County, New York County, Niagara County, Oneida County, Onondaga Countym, Ontario County, Orange County, Orleans County, Oswego County, Otsego County, Putnam County, Queens County, Rensselaer County, Richmond County, Rockland County, St. Lawrence County, Saratoga County, Schenectady County, Schoharie County, Schuyler County, Seneca County, Steuben County, Suffolk County, Sullivan County, Tioga County, Tompkins County, Ulster County, Warren County, Washington County, Wayne County, Westchester County, Wyoming County, Yates County