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 Continuing with tradition, hundreds of athletes, coaches, families, and friends representing all corners of Pennsylvania travel to Johnstown, PA for Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s third-largest state-wide event, the Winter Games. During the course of the event, more than 300 athletes and 150 coaches participate in three days of exciting winter sports – competing in alpine and cross-country skiing, figure and speed skating, snowshoeing and individual skills events. Weeks of hard work and dedication in training is rewarded as athletes are cheered on and supported during competition by more than 1,500 enthusiastic volunteers.
This event requires volunteers from around the state to serve as officials, athlete escorts, award presenters, and in various other ways. Spectators are welcome to visit any of the competition venues and cheer on the athletes.
The 2012 Winter Games will be held from February 12 - 14, 2012 in Johnstown, PA.
View Our Event Press Release
2012 Winter Games Major Event Sponsors
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
Concurrent Technologies Corporation
Marquette Savings Bank
Pasquerilla Enterprises
A. J. & Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust
Buncher Family Foundation
Planet Ice
John E. and Sue M. Jackson Charitable Trust
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Wyss Foundation
2011 Winter Games Recap
Photo by Todd Berkey, Tribune Democrat
David Mulgrave of the Allegheny Region competes in figure skating Monday, Feb. 14th at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, PA.
More than 300 athletes and 150 coaches traveled to the 2011 Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Winter Games in Johnstown, PA from February 13 - 15, 2011. The statewide competition returned to the Johnstown area for the 10th consecutive year and featured competition in alpine and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, speed skating and figure skating.
To kick Winter Games off a day in advance on Saturday, February 12, 2011 and celebrate Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s 40th Anniversary 40 brave individuals were “freezin’ for a reason” as they took the plunge into the cold waters of Quemahoning Reservoir in Boswell, PA.
Photo by Clyde Williams,The Tribune-Democrat
Forty people, led by WJAC weatherman Jim Burton (in tux with ski cap) and his friend, Tom Menna (in top hat) took the plunge into Quemahoning Reservoir on Saturday, February 12th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Special Olympics PA.
Check Out Event Coverage Below!
Tribune Democrat
Athletes earn medals
Time to Shine: Hard work pays off for athletes
Grand Opening: Events kick off Special Olympics Winter Games
40 take chilly plunge for Special Olympics
Welcome, Special Olympians: Athletes, coaches, families will visit region
Area to host Special Olympics Pa. Winter Games
Examiner.com
Special Olympics Winter Games returns to Johnstown this week
Daily American
Special Olympics are like homecoming for the athletes and volunteers
Special Olympics Winter Games a week away
Fox 8 WWCP
Winter Special Olympics Returns For 10th Year In Johnstown
Jennifer McCahan Wins GEICO Spirit Award
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) announced that Jennifer McCahan, a Blair County program athlete, received the GEICO Spirit Award during the 2011 Winter Games Victory Dance in Johnstown, PA. The GEICO Award acknowledges the outstanding energy, determination and enthusiasm that it takes for an athlete to get to Winter Games.
Jennifer is the only female speed skater for her county program. She is legally blind and has attended almost every Winter Games her county has participated in. In 2009, Jennifer began to experience health problems which led to the removal of a cancerous thyroid gland. Having to undergo radioactive iodine treatment in April 2010, she was unable to join her fellow athletes at Winter Games last year. However, as a result of treatment, Jennifer is now cancer-free and immediately started training in speed skating again in December.
She has increased her speed, set some personal best times in training, and participated in speed skating competitions during Winter Games 2011.
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