Erin Erdman, a Special Olympics athlete, and Lester Loner, a Special Olympics coach, will head to Lake Placid, N.Y., to attend a training camp from Dec. 10 to 14.
At the camp, they will meet athletes, coaches and staff members from around the United States who have been selected to represent the United States at the 2013 World Winter Games, which will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in January.
The games will be attended by more than 2,200 Special Olympics participants from more than 75 countries.
Erdman will be attending her second World Winter Games and participate in Cross Country Skiing. She will compete in two individual events and a relay race. The exact events that she will be participating in will be determined at the training camp after the coaches have had the opportunities to see the athletes in action.
When asked what events she would like to do, Erdman said that she enjoys doing longer races like the 7.5K or 10K, however she would do the events that the coaches thought would be the best for her.
"I am looking forward to meeting athletes and coaches from around the USA, training hard and having a great time," Erdman said. "I am proud that I have the opportunity to represent Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and the United States in Korea."
Loner was selected as a Cross Country Skiing coach and will be one of only seven coaches from around the United States to coach Cross Country Skiing. Loner has been involved in Special Olympics as a volunteer and coach for more than 26 years. Because of this involvement he has received many opportunities to coach at multiple World and National Games.
"The Special Olympic athletes have provided me chances to work with some great individuals," Loner said. "Every competition is different and provides me opportunities to learn new things about the different countries that participate in Special Olympics."
While in Korea the USA delegation will spend time in a host town learning the Korean culture, attend Opening Ceremonies, training and competing, meeting athletes from around the world, attend the Olympic Village, trade pins and shirts and conclude the events by attending the Closing Ceremonies.
"Although I totally enjoy competing and receiving my awards, I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about the other athletes, their countries and making some new friends," Erdman said.
