About the games
The Empire State Games began on August 16, 1978, at the old Archbold Stadium on the campus of Syracuse University. It was the first state games program of its kind in the United States at the time; now a total of 42 states around the country have instituted games programs, attracting nearly a half-million participants each year.
The Empire State Games is a program of the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, sponsored in part by the New York Lottery. Established in 1978 by Governor Hugh L. Carey, the Empire State Games programs encompass summer, winter, senior and physically challenged events.
Each year, more than 30,000 men and women try out for a chance to be a finalist at the Games in scholastic, open and masters divisions. Through the years, many New York athletes have moved on to national, international and Olympic competition. Alumni of the Empire State Games include world champions, Olympic gold medalists, college and high school All-Americans, professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, NHL and major league baseball - as well as figure skaters, skiers, soccer players and more.
The 2005 Summer Games will feature roughly 5,500 athletes from six regions of the state in 29 different sports. It is the first time in the 28-year history of the Games that they're going to hosted in the Hudson Valley.
The 2006 Games will be in Rochester.
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