York College, Special Olympics athletes share special moments during Spring Games on May 4

Some information included is from ABC27 news coverage. 

The York College student-athlete community will welcome Special Olympics athletes on May 4 as they compete in the 42nd annual Spring Games. The College has hosted the Games since 2013, except for two years during COVID. President Thomas Burns will offer remarks during opening ceremonies, which begin at 9 a.m. 

The community is invited to attend and cheer on the nearly 100 York Special Olympics athletes who will compete for medals in track and field, swimming, and tennis, with some adapted competitions. 

Two hundred or so Spartan athletes will serve as buddies for the athletes, assist with set up and run the Olympic Village, which is filled with games for the Special Olympic athletes to play between competitions. A dozen basketball players will run a clinic for the Special Olympic athletes. 

“(Our athletes) never cease to amaze me, just the energy and enthusiasm they put into it,” said Associate Athletic Director Matt Day. “There’s just some pure joy that our athletes get, the Special Olympics athletes get.” 

By the end of the day, many of the Special Olympic and York College athletes are like best friend, he said “They’re hugging each other, they’re cheering and high fives and all of that.”