Press Release

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Susan Prior, Director of Public Relations

(800) 235-9058, ext. 231; sprior@specialolympicspa.org

LYCOMING COUNTY VOLUNTEER HEADED TO NAGANO FOR  

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS 2005 WORLD WINTER GAMES

Dedicated Special Olympics Coach Awarded Exciting International Opportunity

(January 20, 2005 – Norristown, PA) —Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) today announced that Williamsport resident and long-time volunteer Lester Loner will represent the program as a coach at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, February 26 – March 5, 2005.  Loner, who will be coaching cross- country skiing during the upcoming international games, was selected by Special Olympics International following an intense, competitive review of his credentials and accomplishments, along with those of thousands of other Special Olympics volunteer coaches. 

“Remarkably, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation for the number of athletes competing in the games, with six athletes participating as part of Team USA.  On top of this honor, we are thrilled to have five of our volunteers headed to Nagano, three serving as officials and two as coaches, making this year’s World Games particularly exciting for our statewide program” said Janine Cesare, President, Special Olympics Pennsylvania. “Les is one of these outstanding volunteers and has, year in and year out, demonstrated unmatched dedication and service to our program. He is an extremely devoted coach and is so deserving of this exciting honor.”

For the past 16 years, Loner has actively served the Lycoming program as a volunteer, holding over 13 Special Olympics State Certifications and participating in numerous capacities. On the local level, he has coached athletics, basketball, bowling, golf, long distance running, softball, soccer, volleyball and bocce in additional to cross-country skiing and has received several Special Olympics honors for his contributions, including SOPA Coach of the Year (1996 and 2001), SOPA Manager of the Year (1993), SOPA Family of the Year (1996).  On the state level, he has served on the Sports Advisory and Family Committees and currently serves on the Cross-Country Skiing Committee.

Nagano will not be Loner’s first trip to the World Games. In 1999 he attended the Special Olympics World Summer Games in North Carolina as a Head Coach for Athletics, and in 2001 he attended the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska as an Assistant Cross-County Skiing Coach. When not devoting his free time to Special Olympics Lycoming County, Loner works as an office manager at the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority.  He enjoys spending time with his family and is an accomplished long-distance runner.

“We are so proud of Les and our entire Pennsylvania delegation.  We know they’ll make us proud in Nagano!” said Cesare.

About the Special Olympics World Winter Games

The World Winter Games in Nagano are slated to host 2,500 athletes, 650 coaches and 10,000 volunteers, friends and families from 80 countries in seven sports including alpine and cross country skiing, figure and speed skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

Athletes compete successfully on the local and state level for the opportunity to compete internationally at the World Games. The cost per athlete is $10,000 and includes local training, Team USA training in Colorado, coaching, competition, international travel expenses, equipment, health care, social activities, lodging, meals and other needs.  All athletes participate free of charge and are supported in full by contributions.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 23 Olympic-type sports to more than 26,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  For more information about how SOPA inspires greatness, visit our Web site at www.specialolympicspa.org. 

Editors: If you’d like to interview Les Loner, please contact Susan Prior at sprior@specialoylmpicspa.org.