<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0CFJ2X_0wFiM3j600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0CFJ2X_0wFiM3j600" width="1320" height="743" >GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (WRGB) — Nearly 1,000 athletes competed in the Special Olympics New York fall games Saturday, going for gold across seven sports.The competition took place in Warren and Saratoga Counties, hosting athletes in bocce, cycling, golf, cross country running, soccer, softball, and equestrian.“The Special Olympics is true, authentic sports, and I think that’s what I want people to understand. There’s no big things changed for them to compete,” Capital Region Director of Development Chris Hughes said. “Watching these athletes just prove what they can do is just awesome to see.”According to a release, Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 45,000 athletes across the Empire State with year-round sports training, athletic competition and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 300 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates.“The Unified program is one of my favorite things Special Olympics offers. It is a way for individuals with an intellectual difference to compete in high school sports,” Hughes, who also coaches powerlifting, told CBS6. “You have two athletes who do not have an intellectual difference and three athletes with an intellectual difference playing together on a court against another school. They travel. It’s just awesome to see.”Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. To help fund these efforts, the organization is hosting the Lake George Polar Plunge on Nov. 23.“We call it freezing for a reason. You are jumping in Lake George in the winter to help raise money for our athletes and give them more opportunities,” Hughes said. “We’re looking for teams. A lot of companies put teams together, and it’s a great team building environment.”To register or donate, click here.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Recapping Special Olympics New York fall games, looking ahead to Polar Plunge

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (WRGB) — Nearly 1,000 athletes competed in the Special Olympics New York fall games Saturday, going for gold across seven sports. The competition took place in Warren and Saratoga Counties, hosting athletes in bocce, cycling, golf, cross country running, soccer, softball, and equestrian. “The Special Olympics...