Special Olympics brings together 400+ athletes in Bethpage

Hundreds of incredible athletes with intellectual disabilities took the field in Bethpage Saturday for the Special Olympics Spring Games North.

News 12 Staff

May 11, 2019, 9:16 PM

Updated 1,821 days ago

Share:

Hundreds of incredible athletes with intellectual disabilities took the field in Bethpage Saturday for the Special Olympics Spring Games North.
Special Olympics New York organizers say it’s the largest competition on Long Island with more than 400 athletes competing.
Athletes say the games are more about making friends and gaining confidence over who finishes first.
Organizers say the focus of the games is more on the athletes’ “ability, and not their disability.”
“We might adapt certain things here and there for them, but for the most part, they’re out there training just the way any athlete does," says Diane Colonna, of Special Olympics New York.
It was the third and final year the Spring Games were held at Bethpage High School. They will take place next year in Farmingdale.
 
 


More from News 12
0:22
Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

1:08
Chance of showers today with a high near 67 degrees

Chance of showers today with a high near 67 degrees

2:04
Glen Cove Hospital to hold clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

Glen Cove Hospital to hold clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

0:39
$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

0:19
Loop Parkway to close overnight for the next two weeks for construction

Loop Parkway to close overnight for the next two weeks for construction

1:05
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Forgotten Friends of Long Island on May 6

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Forgotten Friends of Long Island on May 6

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

1:53
Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

2:14
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:34
2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

2:15
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst