Taylor Clendenan, left, of Sprakers, and Shannon Blankenbaker of Amsterdam, attend a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Both women participated in the floor hockey competition. (Photo by Rebeca Posadas-Nava)

Coach Antonio Morales, of Brooklyn, attends a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. “I have been working Special Olympics 30 years” he says. (Photo by Rebeca Posadas-Nava)

Amanda Vito, left, and Jonathan Brown of Brooklyn attends a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Amanda will be competed in the snow shoe competition, and Jonathan competed in the floor hockey competition. (Photo by Rebeca Posadas-Nava)

Michael Szabelski, left, and Thomas Mack attend a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Michael competed in the downhill skiing competition. (Photo by Rebeca Posadas-Nava)

Patty Vansavage and Pamela Dorn, both of Rochester, attend a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Both women competed in the snowshoe competition. (Photo by Rebeca Posadas-Nava)

Edward Scolaro attends a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Daniel Vasta)

Floor hockey athletes from the Western Region (Buffalo) attends a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Daniel Vasta)

Athletic Coach, Sharon Vito, attends a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Daniel Vasta)

Thomas Lindsey, 9, a snowshoeing athlete from Utica attends a dinner for athletes and coaches prior to the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Daniel Vasta)

Team members from Syracuse prepare for a group photo prior to the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Rebeca Posadas-Nava)