Opening Ceremonies 2025

Athletes celebrate and cheer as the opening ceremony gets underway at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. (Photo MacKenna Rhoads)

The opening ceremonies for the 2025 Special Olympics Winter Games at the Joseph A. Foreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester was filled with energy and pride. The speakers not only highlighted how far the athletes have come in recent years, but also celebrated the coaches who helped them get to the statewide annual competition.

Nearly 1000 athletes from across New York state along with hundreds of volunteers and fans gathered to kick off the Games with the lighting of the Special Olympics torch. This year, Special Olympics New York recognized NYC-based floorball coach Doug Rebecca as the 2024 Outstanding Coach of the Year.

An athlete dances in the aisle during opening ceremonies as the delegations are being introduced. (Photo by Jorja DeCarlo)
Kenny Moriariaty shows off the Special Olympics logo he has shaved into his haircut before the Opening Ceremonies. Kenny has been competing at Special Olympics as a member of the Great Tiger Snow Shoeing team for ten years. (Photo by Travis LaCoss)
Click to view a timelapse video of the athlete delegations entering the opening ceremonies. (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)
Athletes from the Hudson Valley region toss a beach ball through the crowd of coaches and athletes during opening ceremonies (Photo by Will D’antonio)
Athletes from the Capital region get food at the Athletes and Coaches dinner (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)
Long Island athletes pose for a portrait at the Athletes and coaches dinner. (Photo by Arlin Russo)
First-time competing athlete Jaelynn Greene from Southern Tier, NY shares a moment with Rochester Redwings mascot Mittsy. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia)
Pete Bohna, left, and Alex Hengsterman, right, pose for a photo at the opening ceremonies. (Photo by Hannah Murphy)
Two athletes come down the stairs of the reception area before dinner and opening ceremonies. (Photo by Travis LaCoss)
Doug Rebecca, the New York Knights floorball coach celebrates with his teammates after being named 2024 Outstanding Coach of the Year during opening ceremonies. (Photo by Nora Babbitt, Video by Josh Meltzer)
Floorball athlete, NYC (Photo by Aubrey Smith)
Paige Ditzel, Alpine Skiing, Rochester (Photo by Aubrey Smith)
Floorball athletes, NYC (Photo by Aubrey Smith)
Anabelle Caroll, Layla Nash, Lily Rivenburgh, Stephanie Hamelink, Gymnastics, Capital Region (Photo by Aubrey Smith)
Michael Ays, Chantell Oliver – Floorball, NYC (Photo by Aubrey Smith)
Athletes play cornhole as they await the start of the opening cermonies. (Photo by Kaila Stafanini)
Athletes from the Genesee region in a pledge stance during the opening ceremony for Special Olympics. (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)
Shadows of fans and family members of athletes project on the walls inside the convention center during opening ceremonies. (Photo by Kara Gildea)
Members of the Central region team board the bus back to the hotel outside the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. (Photo by Kara Gildea)
An athlete poses during opening ceremonies. (Photo by Travis LaCoss)