Winter 2016 LOCALadk Magazine 30
LOCALadk
The Empire State Winter Games have been around since 1981
For those who don't know, the games began in 1981 as an annual multi-sport festival
that featured top amateur athletes from throughout New York state.
The first model in what has generated similar events in other states around the country,
the state-funded event was held exclusively in Lake Placid until 2011, when it began its
evolution into a grander platform for winter sport.
A larger number of athletes compete in the ESWG than
competed in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games
In the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, a total of 1,027 athletes competed.
The Empire State Winter Games surpassed that number with 1,167 athletes in 2013, 1,885
athletes in 2016, and word has it that they've ordered more than 2,100 jackets for 2017!
For the athletes, the competition represents a tradition, opportunity and a culmination of a
year of training for their personal Winter Olympics, complete with a parade of athletes and
inspirational opening ceremony.
Until 2011, Lake Placid was the only host of the ESWG
From the early 1980s through 2010, the Empire State
Winter Games were held in Lake Placid. In late 2010, New
York announced that budgetary constraints were going to
force the cancellation of the 2011 competitions.
In 2011, tourism and municipal officials in Lake Placid
created a coalition committed to the transformation of
the Games, resulting in increased athlete participation,
enthusiasm and regional support throughout the
North Country, for what is considered a blueprint for
successful public-private partnerships.
