More than 2,000 Winter Athletes from New York State and Beyond Come to Lake Placid to Participate in the 44th Empire State Winter Games, Feb. 1-4, 2024
LAKE PLACID, N.Y – The 44th Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) Opening Ceremony returned to the Lake Placid Olympic Center’s 1980 Herb Brooks Arena and welcomed the more than 2,000 winter athletes who will compete over the next three days in more than 20 sports.
Titled, “Then and Now,” the Games’ ceremony celebrated the 44-year history of the ESWG. A video highlighted the growth of the Games and recognized the commitment and dedication of the participating athletes over the years.
The ESWG first took place following the 1980 Olympic Winter Games and has always been staged in Lake Placid. Since their inception, 34 ESWG athletes have gone on to compete in the Olympic Winter Games and 12 have returned home with Olympic medals. Eight of these athletes have also competed in multiple Olympic Games.
In keeping with the ceremony’s theme, NYS Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) president/CEO, Ashley Walden spoke to the athletes and spectators and reflected upon her time competing in the Games, as a luge athlete and how she’s looking forward to her daughter participating this weekend in girl’s ice hockey.
“As a former luge athlete, many years ago, I stood where you are today filled with excitement over the upcoming competitions. It’s a privilege to now stand here and witness a new generation of athletes embracing the same spirit,” she said. “Additionally, this year holds a special significance for me, as my daughter competes in her first Empire State Winter Games.”
She also went on to recognize the athletes’ parents for their unwavering support, sacrifices and dedication, paving the way for their children to participate in the Games.
Junior luge athlete Elin Weaver, from Indianapolis, Ind., gave the Athletes’ Oath, while figure skating judges, Martha Rasmussen, of Rochester, N.Y., and Richie VanVliet, Buffalo, N.Y., both gave the Officials’ Oath. Members of the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club and hockey players from the Sara-Placid Lakers performed for the audience, while the Saranac Lake High School Vocal Ensemble, directed by Mr. Drew Benware, sang the National Anthem.
Colton LaPlant, a squirt-level hockey player, from Malone, N.Y., officially opened the Games by lighting the in-door Cauldron, while Canandaigua, N.Y. figure skater and 2023 Empire State Winter Games’ Athlete of the Year Emily Warren, simultaneously ignited the carbon-free, flameless Cauldron, outside the Olympic Center. The LED Cauldron will remain illuminated throughout the Games and emphasize the efforts for an environmentally friendly Games.
With title sponsor Community Bank, N.A., along with supporting sponsors Zappone Motors, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, Stewart’s Shops, Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF) and Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, the torch relay, kicked off Jan. 28 from two locations, near New York City and Buffalo, N.Y. The two relays wound their way north and east, through 30 cities and towns, covering 700 miles of New York State before coming together in Lake Placid where they eventually made their way to former Empire State Winter Games athletes and Olympic medalists Gordy Sheer and Andrew Weibrecht. Sheer, a three-time Olympian and 1998 Olympic doubles luge silver medalist, and Weibrecht, a 2014 Olympic silver and 2018 Olympic bronze medalist in men’s Alpine Super-G, carried the torches into the ceremony and presented them to Warren and LaPlant, beginning the Cauldron lighting ceremony,
The Opening Ceremony concluded with a DJ dance party which included the ESWG’s mascot Mac the Moose and light show.
The Empire State Winter Games continue Friday through Sunday with competitions in Lake Placid, Wilmington, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths. Events include adaptive sports (Alpine skiing, sled hockey, bobsled and biathlon) to Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, speed skating, short track speed skating, figure skating, sliding sports (bobsled, luge and skeleton), snowshoeing, ski & snowboard cross, winter biking, winter triathlon, ski orienteering, ice hockey and cross-country skiing.
Fans and athletes can also follow on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, using @ESWGames and #ESWGames.
Photos from the 44th Empire State Winter Games Opening Ceremony can be found HERE.
Credit: Photographer Name/Empire State Winter Games, Videographer Name/Empire State Winter Games.
If media has requests for photos or videos of specific athletes or teams, please contact photos@eswgmedia.com.
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