Special Olympics New Hampshire is proud to announce that two athletes from our state will be competing as members of Special Olympics Team USA at the 2013 Games. Laura Lemieux of Berlin will compete in Cross-Country Skiing and Mark Lagueux of Laconia will compete in the sport of Alpine Skiing.

Lemieux and Lagueux will be joining nearly 3,300 fellow athletes and teams from over 100 nations around the world in PyeongChang from January 29 – February 5, 2013. The 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games will feature world-class competition in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, snowboarding and speed skating, among other sports.

“Our athletes train and compete year-round and work very hard to achieve personal bests and we are very proud that two athletes from our state will represent our country next year in South Korea,” said Mary Conroy, President of Special Olympics New Hampshire.

In addition to the athletes selected, NH coaches were also selected from applicants all over the United States. Robin O’Dougherty of Hillsboro and Sue By of Weare will both be traveling to South Korea as Alpine Skiing coaches and Missie Rodriguez of Canaan will be one of six Snowshoe coaches for Special Olympics Team USA.

“We are grateful to have such amazing coaches in our state, and honored that three of them have been selected to coach at the World Games,” said Conroy.

Before heading to South Korea in January of next year, both Lemieux and Lagueux along with athletes and coaches from around the country will travel to Lake Placid, NY in December for a training camp. During the five day training, athletes will meet the rest of their team while preparing for the 10th Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Leading up to the Opening Ceremonies of the World Games will be the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg for Special Olympics. As an important part of the World Games, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for Special Olympics will heighten awareness and take the message of Special Olympics to every corner of Korea. Officers from around the world are selected to participate and one of the officers is New Hampshire’s own, Officer Mike Murray of Merrimack. This marks the second time Officer Murray has participated in the Final Leg he was also part of the 2007 World Summer Games in China.

For more information about Special Olympics New Hampshire visit www.sonh.org or call (603) 624-1250.