Special Olympics Massachusetts

1st Annual Winter Games, Worcester, MA, March 5-7, 2004

The New 2004 Winter Games

At the conclusion of a glorious 20+ year history in the scenic Berkshires, the Special Olympics Massachusetts 2004 Winter Games prominently paraded into the City of Worcester - the heart of the Commonwealth - on Friday March 5, 2004. The Games began Friday evening lead by a procession of more than 2,000 Special Olympians and their coaches as well as an illuminating torch run, featuring an honorary Winter Games torch carried from its former home in the Berkshires, into the Worcester Centrum.

Competition

The weekend was the culmination of approximately 10 weeks of training on the part of some 2,000+ Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes. These athletes were trained by approximately 500 dedicated volunteer coaches to compete in one of the following eight sports:

Competition took place all day Saturday and Sunday March 6-7, 2004, throughout the Greater Worcester Area. Medal Ceremonies were conducted at each of the respective competition venues. The Games also featured, in downtown Worcester, a spectacular Saturday evening theme Dinner and Dance for all participants - an element that most athletes will tell you was a "true" highlight of the weekend! Athletes also enjoyed an "Olympic Town" that provided respite from the competitions in the form of entertainment, health and welfare education opportunities, and a relaxing atmosphere.

Other Amenities

Athletes and coaches filled just about every hotel bed in the City of Worcester, including some in the hotels in the immediately surrounding areas. Participants were transported from these multiple hotels to one of the many respective competition venues through an elaborate transportation system. Meals were provided for athletes, coaches, and volunteers throughout the weekend.

Volunteers Needed!!!

The new 2004 Winter Games rivaled Summer Games regarding the number of athletes, venues, and sports, and in the sheer magnitude of the event. Most impressive though, second to the athletes' performances, is the fact that this mega-event was organized and carried out by over 1,500 volunteers under the guidance of the professional Special Olympics Massachusetts staff. A core group of approximately 30-50 volunteers with heightened dedication, time commitment, and expertise made up the Games Management Team, which spent the six preceding months planning every aspect of the elaborate event described above.

Many, many thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, generous corporate sponsors and others who helped make the first Winter Games in Worcester such a success! Plans are already underway for the 2005 Winter Games. Volunteer or find out more information!

Worcester Telegram & Gazette's coverage of the 2004 Winter Games

Photo gallery
The Spirit of Competition (subscription required): Yesterday's winter games started with 20 skiers ascending into the fog at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area with their entourage of coaches, officials and equipment carriers for the cross-country segment of the Massachusetts Special Olympics.
Date: 03/07/04 | Category: News
'Let the Games begin' (subscription required): Colin Davidson of Northboro probably summed up the purpose of the Massachusetts Special Olympics best last night when he addressed more than 1,000 people gathered in the Worcester Centrum Centre for the official opening of the 2004 Winter Games.
Date: 03/06/04 | Category: News