Utica, NY (WIBX) - For the second year in a row, Special Olympics New York  is making a return to Utica for the state Summer Games. More than 1,500 athletes and coaches from across the state, will be competing in various sporting activities like Basketball, Bowling, Power lifting and Gymnastics, at different venues throughout the area.

Special Olympics New York, President and CEO, Neal Johnson said the upcoming event in Utica, is the groups' largest competition of the year. Johnson said, "Athlete's will be from all across the state, coming here to Utica to compete in the Summer Games. The Games will be throughout the community." The venues hosting some of the games include, Utica College, MVCC, SUNY-IT, Proctor High School, and Pin-O-Rama Lanes, where the Bowling competition will be held.

Johnson added that 2,000 volunteer positions were filled 2 months before the games last year, making the decision to come back an easy one. Also, he said after the Summer Games in Utica, 11 of the athletes will go on to represent the U.S. in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens. "We're just starting the request for volunteers and based on the response we got last year, I think we're excited about most of those people coming back," Johnson said.

The 2011 Special Olympics New York Summer Games kick off with an Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. at the Utica College Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Also, the events will include entertainment, the Parade of Athletes, and the lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron by the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The event dates are June 10 - 12, 2011 and are free to attend.

To volunteer, or to learn more about Special Olympics New York visit, www.specialolympicsNY.org or call 1-800-836-6976.

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