Special Olympics NY Photos | Photographic Coverage of the Winter Games

By Lex Paull and Mariella Santiago

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Let the games begin! The Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center hosts Special Olympics New York 2026 (SONY), where almost 900 athletes from across the state will gather to compete in seven different winter sports.

The competition spans from Feb. 20-21. Games will be held at venues all over the Rochester region, with specific competitions held at Tim Horton’s Iceplex, Bristol Mountain and more.

Hudson Valley Region Special Olympic athlete John Reale took to the stage at the Opening Ceremony to welcome the audience.

“Special Olympics shows that sports are for everyone,” Reale said. “I like overcoming my challenges and showing up to competitions with confidence.”

Team City Hawks from the New York City region run drills during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Luke Gibson)

Team Buffalo Storm wears black dot socks during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)

Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of SONY, leads the largest chapter of Special Olympics, focusing on expanding athlete participation and promoting inclusive sports across the state. The program serves more than 48,000 athletes with year-round training and competition.

“I mean, it is the most fun you will ever have, and I promise you that when you see it, and you’re up there, you’re going to want to do more,” Hengsterman remarked at the honored guest reception.

Matthew Gabello, from the Genesee region, performs his program during the Figure Skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo)

Matthew Holcomb, from the Genesee Region, beings his ski during alpine skiing competition at Swain Mountain in Swain, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia)

Josh Shouton a floorball athlete from the Long Island region poses for a portrait during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)

Omar Barry, a cross country skiier from the Southern Tier team poses for a portrait during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by James Fischer)

Lyesha Myree, a floorball athlete from the Long Island region poses for a portrait during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)

Special Olympics was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, an American philanthropist and member of the Kennedy family. A year later, disability advocate Dorothy Buehring Phillips started the program in New York State, serving as president of the board of directors for 12 years. In 1970, Rochester hosted its first State Summer Games, and now, Special Olympics New York is the largest Special Olympics program in the United States.