2023 Special Olympics World Games
We're proud to announce that four delegates will represent Special Olympics Connecticut and the USA at Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 this summer! They will be part of the 201-member Special Olympics USA delegation who will join more than 7,000 athletes from over 190 countries to compete in 26 sports, June 17th-25th, in Berlin, Germany. Megan O’Rourke and Debbie Albers are Unified teammates who will participate in bowling. Tricia Stapleton will serve as an assistant coach for cycling and Laurie-Jean Hannon, a sport manager.. Donate to support our delegation for the World Games, click here.
2022 Special Olympics USA Games
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games took place June 5ht - 12th in Orlando, Florida and united more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Team Connecticut brought home 17 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals, as well as many ribbons for their achievements which included many "personal bests."
The Games offered 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports, including athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, equestrian, flag football, golf, gymnastics, open water swimming, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand up paddleboard, surfing, swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.
Team Connecticut
Members of Team Connecticut for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games included 33 athletes, Unified partners and Youth Leaders, 12 coaches and four delegates. Here are the 2022 Special Olympics USA Team Connecticut Results:
Will Geanuracos: Freestyle 50M - Bronze, Breaststroke 50M - 5th place, 4x50 Medley - 4th place
Stephen Emblidge: Breaststroke 50M - Gold, Butterfly 50M - 4th place, 4x50 Medley - 4th place
Anna Reagle: Backstroke 50M - Silver, Freestyle 50M - 7th place, 4x50 Medley - 4th place
Lia Muchin: Butterfly 50M - Bronze, Freestyle 50M - Bronze, 4x50 Medley - 4th place
Coaches: James Geanuracos and Heather Minervini
Kelsey Alanzo, Megan Alanzo, Jameson Bodenburg, Avery Dawe, Joseph Deliz, Josh Lubetkin, Justin Slattery, Charles Steniger, Maggie Sullivan, and Jack Taggard - 4th place
Coaches: Brooke Bulmer and Matthew Spector
Addison Penna: Floor - Gold, Uneven Bars - Silver, Vault - Silver, Balance Beam - 4th place, All-Around - 5th place
Nadia Zafar: Floor - Silver, Balance Beam - Silver, Uneven Bars - Bronze, Vault - Bronze, All-Around - 4th place
Andrea DeBernardo: Floor - Gold, Uneven Bars - Gold, All-Around - Gold, Balance Beam - Bronze, Vault - 5th place
Coach: Christine Costantino
Zack Ryer and Mekhi Watson
Coach: Robb Bajoros
These athletes represented Connecticut at workshops and activities during the week, assisted at a Young Athletes event, and conducted interviews with other Team Connecticut members.
Anthony Shonti: 4x400 - Gold, 5000M - Gold, 1500M - 4th place
Alex English: 4x400 - Gold, 5000M - Silver, 1500M - 7th place
Brandon Knight: 4x400 - Gold, 3000M - Bronze, 1500M - 4th place
Justin Mazza: 3000M - Silver, 1500M - Silver, 5000M - Bronze
Paul Kleva: 5000M - Gold, 3000 - Gold, 1500M - Silver
Danielle Mola: 100M - Gold, 4x400 - Gold, 400M - 4th place
Katya Nardone: Long Jump - Silver, 200M - 4th place, 100M - 5th place
Anthony Shonti: 4x400 - Gold, 5000M - Gold, 1500M - 4th place
Alex English: 4x400 - Gold, 5000M - Silver, 1500M - 7th place
Brandon Knight: 4x400 - Gold, 3000M - Bronze, 1500M - 4th place
Justin Mazza: 3000M - Silver, 1500M - Silver, 5000M - Bronze
Paul Kleva: 5000M - Gold, 3000 - Gold, 1500M - Silver
Danielle Mola: 100M - Gold, 4x400 - Gold, 400M - 4th place
Katya Nardone: Long Jump - Silver, 200M - 4th place, 100M - 5th place
CRITERIA FOR ADVANCEMENT TO HIGHER LEVEL COMPETITION
In order for an athlete or a partner to be eligible for selection to Team Connecticut, they must qualify under the guidelines of Article I., Section K Criteria for Advancement to Higher Level of Competition in the Special Olympics Sports Rules Book as found on Specialolympics.org. As stated in Section K, No. 3.d.1, priority is given to first place finishers from all divisions of the sport/event.
Prior to the selection process, Special Olympics Connecticut requests a quota for either World or USA Games, based upon the sports offered at such competition, number of athletes competing in those sports at SOCT events and interchanging the sports offered over the years to provide increased opportunities. Quota numbers are based upon budget constraints.
Athletes interested in applying for consideration of advancement to either World or USA Games must complete an Athlete/Partner Application Form to enter into a lottery system for selection to Team Connecticut. Team sports for USA Games are selected through a try-out process. All athletes applying for selection to Team Connecticut must have participated in their selected sport in the year prior to the actual application and lottery process.
About Special Olympics USA and World Games
Alternating between summer and winter, the Special Olympics World Games are one of the world's largest sporting events, drawing as many, if not more, athletes than the Olympics.
Every two years since 1968, athletes from all nations have gathered to celebrate sport and showcase the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. This prominent world stage brings attention to the Special Olympics movement and helps create positive - sometimes lifesaving - policy change for people with intellectual disabilities in countries around the world.
In 2006, the first USA Games were held in Ames, Iowa as an opportunity to showcase the talents of athletes from throughout the United States. The USA Games are now held every four years offering summer sports for thousands of athletes to participate in with their peers.
Upcoming events:
Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
Special Olympics USA Games Minnesota 2026
