CHITTENANGO — Chittenango resident Lindsay Mitchell was recently selected to compete in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.
Representing Special Olympics New York, Mitchell, 31, will be competing in bocce.
Special Olympics New York offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete in authentic, quality sports at the local, state, national and international levels.
“We’re so proud of Lindsay,” said Casey Vattimo, senior vice president for external relations for Special Olympics New York. “In addition to being an amazing athlete, she is active in our Athlete Leadership Council, so she’s a role model for her peers. She will be an outstanding representative on Team New York.”
According to Vattimo, athletes who placed first at the highest level of competition offered — typically State Games — are eligible to compete at the USA Games. The final selections are made through a random draw.
The Special Olympics New York USA Games delegation will include 94 athletes and 27 coaches in the following 13 sports: basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon, and track & field.
Held June 5-12, 2022, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will bring together more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean and 125,000 spectators.
According to the organization’s website, bocce is one of the most popular sports in Special Olympics, and it features the widest variety of athletes. Over 300 athletes will compete in strategic events, such as singles, doubles, team, and Unified competitions.
Mitchell has been participating in Special Olympics since she was in high school, competing in downhill skiing, snowshoeing, equestrian, bowling, bocce, swimming, and cycling.
She said her favorite aspects of Special Olympics are the competition and great sportsmanship of the other athletes.
Mitchell received the news of her selection for the USA Games while on vacation in Hampton Beach.
“We wrote it in the sand and she read it when she walked over and cried after reading it,” recalled Mitchell’s mother, Linda. “Then the people on the beach started congratulating her and clapping. As Lindsay’s Mom, I’m proud of her dedication to practicing and doing her best. She is a hard worker and helps others constantly.”
According to Linda, Mitchell has dreamed of competing in the Special Olympics USA Games, going to Florida, riding in an airplane, and visiting Disney World.
“She will be able to accomplish all of these goals in one incredible trip,” Linda said. “As a family, we are grateful, excited and humbled that Lindsay is being given this opportunity through Special Olympics, Disney and all the supporters and volunteers who help all the athletes achieve their goals and dreams.”
For more information on Special Olympics New York, visit specialolympics-ny.org.
To learn more about the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, visit 2022specialolympicsusagames.org.
