June is an exciting month for Special Olympics Connecticut.
The organization is hosting the 2023 Summer Games on two back-to-back weekends.
Saturday marked the first day of competition. Athletes participated in swimming, soccer and tennis at Fairfield University. Others competed in cycling at Yale West Campus in Orange.
Organizers say about 98 people participated in the cycling event alone, taking part in a variety of competitions, including a 500 meter and 10-kilometer race.
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"It’s fun. You get to pedal. You get to feel the breeze, the sunshine,” said Gina Zetye of Oxford.
Like Gina Zetye, athlete Vincent Acquaotta says he found biking at an early age.
"I feel that it's special because it makes me athletic,” said Vincent Acquaotta of Windsor Locks.
Cycling venue director, Karen Kalenauskas, says the event brings athletes of all abilities together. Eleven teams, each one representing a Connecticut town, came out to compete.
"The athletes have so much pride in owning their bikes at it's just such a great sport,” said Kalenauskas.
She says it also gives them a life-long skill. One coach could say that it also creates life-long memories.
"Let's go! Come on, you got this,” said Tricia Stapleton from the sidelines Saturday.
This month, Stapleton is going to Berlin, Germany, as assistant coach for cycling in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games. Thousands of athletes from more than 190 countries are expected to compete, according to Special Olympics Connecticut's website.
"Everybody that does Special Olympics is amazing. It's a great group of people. We do a lot together," said Stapleton.
But back home, the Summers Games aren’t over yet. Special Olympics Connecticut will be celebrating their Summer Games again next weekend.
Athletes will be able to compete in track and field, racewalking, and wheelchair events in West Haven and Southern Connecticut State University.
NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut are a proud sponsor of Special Olympics Connecticut.
