23-02-2025
2 local Special Olympics athletes headed to Italy for World Winter Games
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — 900 athletes were in Rochester Saturday for the Special Olympics NY Winter Games.
The games included floorball, gymnastics, cross country skiing, and figure skating among others.
On figure skating, News 8 learned that two athletes from our area, Matthew Gabello, and Cori Piels, are headed to Italy to compete in Turin. Both are from Rochester, and have been skating for more than 20 years.
'I'm competing down there in Italy, I've been there four times,' Gabello said. 'Special Olympics here in Rochester – we have done this for a very long time. I've been an equestrian in Skidmore, already won two gold medals and multiple medals.'
The World Games in Italy next month feature over 1,500 athletes from over 100 delegations. Piels said she's excited to be challenged on an international scale.
'I love figure skating. It makes me feel good,' said Piels. 'It makes me feel passionate, and I feel like an angel floating across the ice.'
Let the games begin: Special Olympics NY Winter Games holds opening ceremony in Rochester
Their coach said they have grown as athletes for sure, but even more as people.
Matthew Gabello (left) and Cori Piels (right) pictured at the NYS Special Olympics Winter Games figure skating event in Rochester. (WROC/Eric Schedlbauer)
Saturday, News 8 was also able to catch up with some of the skaters competing as part of this weekend's Special Olympics New York Winter Games, which took place in various locations across Monroe County throughout the day Saturday.
'What it feels like to be out on the ice – is like being that person that glides onto the ice like a fresh angel. This year, I'm doing a song I'm Not That Girl, and I'm in character as Elphaba. So, it really makes me feel like I'm Elphaba, Defying Gravity on the ice,' said Emma Cahill.
'It's just a big family to me, that I really know who I am – because they have taught me many things that I thought I wouldn't be able to do, because, from the past year, what I've been saying, is that some people, when I was little, they thought I couldn't walk, I couldn't talk. But, well, I am now 22. I am here, right now. And what I love about figure skating is everything – seeing my friends, seeing my teammates! So, it has shown a bright light in my life, and I am loving it,' Cahill said.
Cahill said she has been with the Special Olympics for about 11 years now.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
