Saratoga Students to Represent New York at Special Olympics Games

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Elliot Lester and Adam Wolcz, juniors at Saratoga Springs High School, have been selected to represent Special Olympics New York at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. 

Lester and Wolcz will participate as part of the Youth Leadership Experience delegation and will be joined by Colleen Belanger, a Saratoga Springs High School Physical Education teacher and Unified coach.

The Special Olympics USA Games bring together thousands of athletes from all 50 states for a week of competition and celebration. The Youth Leadership Experience provides students of all abilities with the opportunity to play a role in their state’s delegation while gaining firsthand experience in organizing and supporting a large-scale event. 

Participants gain insight into the many important roles carried out by volunteers and staff and take part in daily service-learning opportunities. In addition, participants will take part in all ceremonial events alongside their state delegation, Team New York.

At Saratoga Springs High School, Lester and Wolcz are members of the Unified basketball team. Wolcz also participates in Unified Bocce and Unified Bowling. 

Saratoga Springs High School offers three Unified sports, and it earned National Banner Unified Champion School status in both 2020 and 2024.