Special Olympics CT Winter Games to be in Simsbury, New Hartford

Athletes race in snowshoeing racing at the Special Olympics CT Winter Games. (Photo courtesy CL&P via Facebook)

SIMSBURY – Athletes of all ages and abilities will compete in the Special Olympics Connecticut Winter Games on Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1 in Simsbury, New Hartford and East Hartford. Over 900 athletes and United Sports partners are expected to participate. The events are free and open to the public. 

Cross country skiing and snowshoeing will be held at Eversource’s (formerly Connecticut Light and Power) Simsbury Area Work Center on Route 10. Opening ceremonies are Saturday at 10 a.m. with competition from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, competition will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is available at nearly Chubb Insurance and there will be a free shuttle bringing fans to and from the work center. There is no parking at the AWC for the public. 

Figure skating and speed skating will be held at the International Skating Center in Simsbury. Opening ceremonies at that venue will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday with competition running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Competition on Sunday will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Alpine skiing and snowboarding will be held at Ski Sundown in New Hartford. Opening ceremonies are at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with competition from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Competition on Sunday will be from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

In East Hartford, unified and traditional floor hockey will be held at the Pratt and Whitney hangar on Silver Lane. It can be accessed through the Cabella’s parking lot. Opening ceremonies are Saturday at 9 a.m. with competition from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Competition on Sunday is from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 13,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners – their teammates without disabilities. 

Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 170 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. 

For more information, visit www.soct.org, and follow Special Olympics Connecticut on Facebook and Twitter.