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    USA & World Games

    In addition to the sports competitions in Massachusetts, Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes have the opportunity to compete on the national and international stages. Every two years a World Games is held – alternating between summer and winter games. Every four years USA Games showcases spring, summer and fall sports. To qualify for a USA or World games team, athletes must earn a gold medal in a state level competition among other application requirements. Applications for USA and world games will be made available at the beginning of the selection process.

    Check out the article from the Community Advocate about the basketball team heading to the UAE with Special Olympics USA. If you are a member of the press and would like any information or to contact any of the athletes, please contact charles.hirsch@specialolympicsma.org. Additional media information can be found in the World Games section below.

    World Winter Games

    2021 World Winter Games

    The next World Winter Games will take place in February 2021 in Sweden.

    Special Olympics Massachusetts has received three Alpine Slots for 2021 Games

    • 1 athlete – Female Category 2 (intermediate)
    • 1 athlete – Female Category 3 (advanced)
    • 1 athlete – Male Category 3 (advanced)

    If you have an athlete that would like to apply for one of the above slots or if you would like to nominate an athlete. Please fill out an return completed athlete application by December 1, 2019

    Athlete Application


    World Summer Games

    2019 World Summer Summer Games

    World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    March 14 – 21, 2019

    Special Olympics USA logo

    Athletes from Massachusetts competed for Special Olympics USA at the 2019 World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

    Basketball:

    • Colin Davidson
    • Ryan Dixon
    • Zachary Englehart
    • Joseph Jamros
    • Matthew Millett
    • Brian Millis
    • Liam O’Brien
    • Matthew Roy
    • Josh Sargent
    • Marc Russell
    • Bill O’Brien (Coach)
    • Keith Peabody (Coach)
    • Merrill Englehart (Coach)

    Golf:

    • George Kent III (Coach)

    Triathlon:

    • Pat Diskin (Coach)
    World Games Media Resources:

    2018 USA Games

    The USA Games  were held in 2018 from July 1-6 in Seattle, Washington. Special Olympics Massachusetts sent a delegation of 50 athletes and 28 coaches, staff and Unified partners to participate. The games showcased the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities and promoted the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport. Team Massachusetts came home with 41 medals! Read more about how Team Massachusetts did at the 2018 USA Games on our blog.

    Watch the Team Massachusetts Announcement hosted by Bank of America

    Individual Sports

    10 pin bowling

    • Paul Carey from Millbury
    • Brandon Moore from North Attleboro
    • Laurene Rice from Worcester
    • Angela Swett from Worcester
    • Coached by Eric Mahoney from Auburn

    Gymnastics

    • Samantha Berndt from Rutland
    • Samantha Vayo from Worcester
    • Coached by Margaret Szluga from Northborough

    Golf

    • Tyler Lagasse from Tyngsboro
    • Coached by George Kent from Hopkinton

    Powerlifting

    • Joe Morrill from Holliston
    • Coached by Craig Buckley  from Milford

    Swimming

    • Timothy Canty from Auburn, MA
    • Meghan Colby from Gloucester
    • David Kriensky from West Bridgewater
    • Rebecca Zimmerman from Stoughton
    • Coached by Ann Marie Dawes from Douglas

    Track & field

    • Joshua Brennan from Salisbury, CT competes with the Berkshire Red Raiders
    • Patrick Adams from Enfield, CT competes with Greater Springfield
    • Chris Charest from Worcester
    • Kelsey Gaffney from Milford
    • Alyssa Neil from Holyoke
    • Greg Schwartz from Medfield
    • Abby Tetrault from Hyannis
    • Rachel Wheeler from Springfield
    • Coached by Christin Santiago-Calling from West Bridgewater and Tim Walsh from Milford

    Team Sports

    Basketball

    • Shrewsbury Pioneers
      • Colin Davidson
      • Ryan Dixon
      • Zachary Englehart
      • Joseph Jamros
      • Matthew Millett
      • Brian Mills
      • William O’Brien
      • Matthew Roy
      • Joshua Sargent
      • Joseph Walsh
      • Coaches by Bill O’Brien and Keith Peabody

    Flag Football (Unified)

    • Haverhill Stars Angels
      • Greggory Chicoine
      • Jonathan Hogan
      • Nick Johnson
      • Joseph Murach
      • Brandon Tobin
      • Sarah Tobin
      • Alex Zamansky
      • Andrew Zamansky
      • Eric Zamansky
      • Noah Zamansky
      • Coached by Jay Barnes and Joseph Tobin

    Soccer (Traditional)

    • Milford Fire Hawks
      • Michael Bearer
      • Sean Bernier
      • Jay Brown
      • Michael Chau
      • Melissa Clough
      • Matthew Grimes
      • Shaquille Medina
      • Matthew Miller
      • Joseph Stone
      • JP Young
      • Coached by Alex Cimino, Brandon Corshini, and Josh Trautwein

    Team Massachusetts Alternates

    10 Pin Bowling

    • Mary Kate Amentea
    • Joel Goodrow
    • Heather St. Germain
    • Mark Pecor

    Basketball   

    • Wareham Wild Vikings

    Flag Football

    • Milford Patriots

    Soccer

    • Greater Springfield Lightning

    Swimming   

    • Lindsay Blagg
    • Jennifer Harrington
    • William Holbrook
    • John (JP) Young

    Track/Field 

    • Alex Cohen
    • Kaitlyn Critchley
    • Meghan Pelletier

    Special Olympics Massachusetts Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg

    • Athlete: Danny Williamson
    • Law Enforcement Rep: Sgt. Larry Crossman

    Youth Leadership Experience

    • Athlete: Ben Rizoli, Milford High
    • Unified partner: Madelyn Boyle, Milford High
    • Chaperoned by Kathy Lutz, Schools & Unified Sports Manager