Photo: Oleg Breslavtsev / Moment / Getty Images
Utica will host the Special Olympics New York State Summer Games from 2026 to 2028. The announcement was made on Monday (July 28) by Special Olympics New York, Utica University, and local community leaders. The games, the largest competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the state, will bring over 1,200 athletes and coaches to Utica each June. Participants will compete in six sports: basketball, powerlifting, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Utica University will serve as the main venue, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies and providing accommodations and meals for athletes and coaches. Additional events will take place at Hamilton College, the City of Utica's Parkway Recreation Center, and Mohawk Valley Community College. Utica University President Todd Pfannestiel expressed excitement about hosting the games, emphasizing the alignment of the university's mission with the Special Olympics' focus on inclusion and opportunity.
In addition to the sports competitions, the event will feature a "Healthy Athletes" program offering free health screenings in areas such as vision, dental care, and nutrition. Community involvement is crucial, with approximately 400 volunteers needed to support the games. Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. highlighted the event's significance as a celebration of courage, determination, and inclusion.
The games, previously held in Ithaca, have found a new home in Utica, where local officials and community members have warmly welcomed the opportunity to host. Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York, expressed gratitude for the community's support and enthusiasm.