The smoke slowly begins to clear in front of a crowd of 80,000 in Stade de France, as the 2024 Summer Games come to an end. For thousands of athletes representing more than 200 countries, it was a journey filled with triumph, heartbreak, and memories that will last a lifetime. But with the Olympic Torch now extinguished, a whole new set of athletes are looking to capture the world’s attention, as all eyes now turn to Turin, Italy.
In just a few short months, more than 1,500 athletes from 103 counties will set their sights on the original Italian capital city for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Participants will compete in eight sports ranging from snowboarding to cross-country skiing. One of the women tasked with leading our country into competition this March is a familiar face to the Maine-Endwell community.
Board of Education member, and M-E parent Megan Gorski has been given the honor of coaching Team USA’s cross-country skiing team in the 2025 Winter Games.
“I don’t know if there’s words to explain how much of an opportunity this is,” said Gorski.
As the spirit of thousands of Special Olympians from around the globe give light to the Flame of Hope, it’ll be the culmination of a two-decade journey for Gorski. She originally got linked up with the Special Olympics 22 years ago, when her boyfriend, who’d later become her husband, was coaching a local team that his nephew began competing with. It didn’t take long until she was hooked.
Gorski went on to coach the Broome and Tioga County chapters for close to 14 years and would even represent New York in the USA games back in 2014. Today, she continues to coach local chapters, with a number of M-E alumni athletes. Her success has lead to being given the distinct honor of representing her country on the world’s stage. But preparing these athletes for a competition like this one is forcing the beloved coach to get creative.
Gorski leads five Special Olympians ranging in ages from 19 to 52. Living in Nebraska, Washington, Delaware and Michigan respectively, she has the unique task of training them remotely, with roughly seven months until Opening Ceremonies. It’s a job she doesn’t take lightly.
“They are getting the opportunity of a lifetime, and I get to witness that. Just to be a part of that is so amazing to me,” said Gorski.
Gorski is one of just 32 coaches representing team USA. While she’s honored to reach his level in her coaching career, she says it’s the athletes, both locally and around the country who have made it all possible.
“Just the honor of watching them succeed, it’s almost overwhelming to see the success. I am the cheerleader coach. As long as you are doing your best and having a good time, you are winning,” said Gorski.
It’s a powerful message that she’ll carry with her into Europe, as she looks to honor her country, and the memory of her late husband - one of the proudest supporters of Special Olympics athletes.
The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games kick off March 8th, running through March 16th.