Two Long Island athletes found out that their years of hard work have paid off with acceptance to compete in next year's Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.

Sabrina Walker, an Amityville native, who won a gold medal for tennis at the World Games in 2011 will be competing. Also selected is Thomas Menche, who has been swimming for more than 10 years and is headed to his first USA games.

Those close to the athletes say they are proud of their accomplishments.

"It's a lot of work to qualify for these games," says Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of the Special Olympics NY. "You have to train really hard. You have to beat out the best of the best across the state to be able to do it, and they did it!"

Click here if you would like to donate to help get the athletes to Florida.