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Special Olympics World Games Berlin

 

TUNE-IN INFORMATION

  • Opening Ceremony: June 17th, 3-6 p.m. on ABC
  • Competition: Beginning June 19th on ESPN+ and ESPN3
  • “Best of” Show: July 2nd, 1-3 p.m. on ABC

 

Connecticut will be well-represented at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. Participants in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Games include Ret. Lt. Kelly Walsh - runner, and Ret. Captain Joe Carlone and Special Olympics Connecticut's Lisa Carlone - logistics coordinators.

Participants in the Games include Athlete Kelly Schneider from Special Olympics New Milford, who will compete in bowling with her Unified partner Debbie Albers, Assistant Cycling Coach Tricia Stapleton from Special Olympics Newington and Laurie-Jean Hannon, retired VP of Sports for Special Olympics Connecticut who will serve as a Sport Manager.

 

Participants in the Global Youth Leadership Summit will be graduating senior Ethan Bufford-Cournoyer, alumnus Zack Ryer and Unified Sports® coach Robb Bajoros of Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham.

 

 

Donate to support our delegation for the World Games, click here.

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2022 Special Olympics USA Games

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games took place June 5ht - 12th in Orlando, Florida and united more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Team Connecticut brought home 17 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals, as well as many ribbons for their achievements which included many "personal bests."

The Games offered 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports, including athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, equestrian, flag football, golf, gymnastics, open water swimming, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand up paddleboard, surfing, swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.

Male athletes standing holding up

Team Connecticut

Members of Team Connecticut for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games included 33 athletes, Unified partners and Youth Leaders, 12 coaches and four delegates. Here are the 2022 Special Olympics USA Team Connecticut Results:

Female athletes smiling together wearing bathing suits and medals around their necks.

CRITERIA FOR ADVANCEMENT TO HIGHER LEVEL COMPETITION

In order for an athlete or a partner to be eligible for selection to Team Connecticut, they must qualify under the guidelines of Article I., Section K Criteria for Advancement to Higher Level of Competition in the Special Olympics Sports Rules Book as found on Specialolympics.org. As stated in Section K, No. 3.d.1, priority is given to first place finishers from all divisions of the sport/event.

Prior to the selection process, Special Olympics Connecticut requests a quota for either World or USA Games, based upon the sports offered at such competition, number of athletes competing in those sports at SOCT events and interchanging the sports offered over the years to provide increased opportunities.  Quota numbers are based upon budget constraints.

Athletes interested in applying for consideration of advancement to either World or USA Games must complete an Athlete/Partner Application Form to enter into a lottery system for selection to Team Connecticut. Team sports for USA Games are selected through a try-out process.  All athletes applying for selection to Team Connecticut must have participated in their selected sport in the year prior to the actual application and lottery process.

About Special Olympics USA and World Games

Alternating between summer and winter, the Special Olympics World Games are one of the world's largest sporting events, drawing as many, if not more, athletes than the Olympics.

Every two years since 1968, athletes from all nations have gathered to celebrate sport and showcase the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. This prominent world stage brings attention to the Special Olympics movement and helps create positive - sometimes lifesaving - policy change for people with intellectual disabilities in countries around the world.

In 2006, the first USA Games were held in Ames, Iowa as an opportunity to showcase the talents of athletes from throughout the United States. The USA Games are now held every four years offering summer sports for thousands of athletes to participate in with their peers.

Upcoming events:

Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023

Special Olympics USA Games Minnesota 2026

Athletes and coaches standing outside holding a red and white