Empire State Games

The Empire State Games are a set of annual Olympic-style competitions for amateur athletes from the state of New York, encompassing several divisions and allowing athletes of all ages to compete. It was a member of the National Congress of State Games. The Games consisted of a number of competitions:

Summer Games (often referred to as the Empire State Games, typically held in late July)

Winter Games (held at , New York in February)

Games for the Physically Challenged (similar to the Paralympics)

Senior Games (specificially for athletes age 50 and older)

In 2009 and 2011, the Games were cancelled due to a lack of funding from the state of New York.

History

The first Empire State Games took place at Syracuse University in 1978, the first State Games to be held in the United States. With the success of the first 1978 games, the Empire State Games have sparked the creation of other State Games across the country. Before their cancellation, the Empire State Games were the largest state-supported amateur athletic competition in the nation.

The Games are a program of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, is a multi-sport event for amateur athletes, patterned after the Olympic program. Athletes must be residents of the State of New York. Following competition (Regional Trials)participents from two divisions: scholastic and open, representing six regions: Hudson Valley, Long Island, New York City, Adirondack, Central and Western. Some...
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