PHOTO PROVIDED The opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics in Turin, Italy, were Williamsport’s Lester Loner is coaching cross-country skiing.

The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games are taking place now in Turin, Italy.

Ooe Williamsport man, Lester Loner, has the honor of leading the cross country skiing athletes as their head coach for the American team,

Loner has been volunteering for the Special Olympics for over 40 years.

This is his ninth Special Olympics World Games, and in addition to being a coach has been a Global Messenger mentor, training coordinator and a Health Messenger mentor, according to the Special Olympics website.

One of the things that differs from the state and regional events is the communication with the other athletes he and the team meet.

” A lot of it is hand signs and stuff, but now a lot of them have a phone. They have a translator on there,” shared Loner.

The cross country skiing is taking place in Northwestern Italy, in the mountains.

“It is pretty high, like 9,500 feet, but we will only be like 40 miles from Austria,” said Loner.

The American cross country skiing team consists of five athletes, added Loner.

“You got to go for the competition, but you’re going to meet people you remember forever,” said Loner of what the athletes will take away from the games, many of whom have never traveled outside of the United States, “so it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to get out of the country and visit people and learn different languages.”