Gymnastics 2026

Gabriella Asbach does a bridge before the gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Zaida Talev)

By Lydia Hammer 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Special Olympics New York 2026 (SONY) held its gymnastics competition as a part of its Winter Games. The event brought athletes together to compete on Feb. 21, 2026 in the Henrietta Recreation Center. The room buzzed with chatter as friends — and rivals — reunited to do or watch gymnastics. 

(Video by Oliver Butler and Gabriela Ontiveros)
Athletes stretch before the gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Mackenna Conish)
Kennedy King hugs his mom before competing in the gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Zaida Talev)
Athletes stand for the national anthem before the gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Zaida Talev)

The gymnastics competition began with a series of warmups. Athletes prepared themselves and their bodies for the competition in a variety of ways, from stretching as one athlete counted down, to practicing their skills on the floor, bars, vault, rings and balance beam. 

“We do a lot of stretching,” stated Special Olympic gymnast, Susan Clark. 

Anna Romeo stretches before the gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Sophie Wesselhoff)

Clark grew up in Rochester, and has been doing both Special Olympics and gymnastics since she was a child. She joked that as a 53-year-old competitor, she did not always do all the stretches, as she “would need some water and some Tylenol” after that. However, she also said she felt confident she would be at the top of her game regardless. 

“Be at your best,” she urged fellow competitors. “It would take that to beat me.” 

Linda Bulger competes in floor during gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Owen Ferrell)
Maddie Csont competes in balance beam during gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Mackenna Conish)
Kieran Smith (left) competes on bars while volunteer coach Evelyn Buttaccio (right) spots during gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Campbell Mulligan)

Music began to play as the athletes assembled on the mats after warmups. People in the audience held up signs they had made for athletes with various colors and encouraging slogans. 

“My nieces did it,” said Sandra Hammond, when asked about the signs she and her niece Evelyn Dahlnan held. “I just supplied the paper and the markers.” 

One sign stated, “Emma Rose, strike your pose,” referring to Sandra Hammond’s niece, Emma Rose Dodici 

Kennedy King (left) speaks with trooper Jason Haag during gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Campbell Mulligan)
Willow Lawlan lays down before competing in gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Owen Ferrell)

Dodici usually competes in skiing — a sport which she has been doing for 15 years — in the winter and gymnastics in the summer. However, when gymnastics was moved from summer to winter, she had to choose between the two, and she chose gymnastics. She will additionally be representing New York as a gymnast in the National Special Olympics in Minneapolis, Minn., in June. 

As the competition moved forward, the national anthem played, and competitors recited the Special Olympics Athletes’ Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” 

Linda Bulger (right) gives a gymnast salute after the gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Campbell Mulligan)
Cayleigh Moorhead (right) hugs coach Marlene Michels (left) after competing in floor during gymnastics competition at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Owen Ferrell)

Susan Clark placed 1st in Division 4 bars, 2nd in Division 4 vault, 2nd in Division 4 beam, 1st in Division 4 floor and 2nd place in the Division 4 all around. Emma Dodici placed 4th in Division 9 vault, 1st in Division 9 bars and 2nd in Division 9 beam.