Special Olympics Connecticut Global Messenger

Betsy Katz

Birth Date: November 23, 1969
Home Town: New Haven, CT
Sports: Swimming

My name is Betsy Katz and I am a Special Olympics Connecticut Athlete and Global Messenger. I live in New Haven, and four years ago I started working as the receptionist at the Special Olympics office in Hamden. Two years later, I began swimming with Chapel Haven and eventually earned a spot on Team CT competing at the 2006 National Games in Ames, Iowa. At the Games, I competed in several events and won a Gold medal in the 25 meter Breast Stoke, a Bronze in the 50 meter Freestyle and a participation ribbon in the 4 x 25 meter Relay. It was a fun experience and I learned a lot; everybody cheered for everybody else.

This is my first year as a Global Messenger. I really like telling other people about Special Olympics events and what SOCT is all about. I also like asking new athletes and volunteers to join us. So far my favorite Global Messenger experiences have been going to the NBC30 Health & Wellness event in Hartford and speaking at the Lilly Awards.

In my free time, I like working out at the gym, working on my scrapbook, and going to the movies and theater. I also enjoy visiting my family in Puerto Rico on holidays and vacations. I was very happy they could come watch me at the National Games in Iowa!

My message is that at Special Olympics, a medal is not the most important thing, the important thing is that you try your hardest and do your best!