SUNY New Paltz Hosts Special Olympics Athletes from Hudson Valley

NEW PALTZ, NY — More than 100 Special Olympics New York athletes and coaches will participate in the first annual Soccer Jamboree on Sunday, Sept. 28, at SUNY New Paltz.

The athletes will represent local Special Olympics programs from Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess and Orange counties and Queens. They will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in Soccer Team while non-team athletes will vie for medals in skills events. The athletes have been training throughout the summer for these events and many of them will go on to the state Fall Games in Seneca Falls, Oct. 10 to 12.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m., with competition to follow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. SUNY New Paltz athletes, including the men and women s Soccer teams, men and women s Tennis teams, the Volleyball team and the Softball team, will provide all of the volunteer support for this event.

The 2003 Soccer Jamboree is one of more than 400 Special Olympics competitions held across the state annually at either the local, regional or state level.

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with mental retardation. Founded in 1970, Special Olympics New York is the largest Special Olympics program in the United States, providing sports opportunities to nearly 40,000 athletes through a network of 25,000 volunteers.

The 2003 Soccer Jamboree is sponsored by Special Olympics New York s statewide sponsors Cingular Wireless and New York Lottery.

For more information about this competition or others in the area, call Director of Program Melissa Gross at 212-661-3963, or e-mail her at mgross@nyso.org.