Athlete Leadership

The students become the teachers for the next crop of athletes.

ATHLETE LEADERS

Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs allow athletes to explore opportunities for greater participation in our movement beyond sports training and competition: as coaches, officials, team captains, spokespeople and Board and committee members.

Global Messengers

Global Messengers are Special Olympics athletes, trained in public speaking, who help spread the message and vision of the movement as well as the benefits they have gained by participating in Special Olympics. As leaders and message-bearers of the movement, Global Messengers communicate the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, and courage of Special Olympics athletes around the world.

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Athlete Input Councils

The athletes are empowered to voice their opinions and recommend a course of action about various facets of the year-round sports training and athletic competition program. The meetings provide a forum to report to other athletes with the latest happening in their area, address important issues, and gain leadership and training experience.

Athlete Volunteers

The athletes are empowered to take a more active role in the organization by helping out at events in a volunteer role. Whether its checking in volunteers, working in an information booth, taking photos or a variety of other roles, athletes gain experience in a different aspect of the organization..

ALPs Trainer

Athletes who would like to teach the skills they have acquired over years in the program to fellow athletes and train them in Global Messenger training or governance training. All ALPs Trainers must complete a "Train the Trainer" session before coming a trainer.

Speech Coach

A Global Messenger Speech Coach assists a Global Messenger in writing and preparing for an inspiring and impactful mission-focused message tailored to the audience to whome they are speaking.

Please complete and submit our online form to get involved in the Athlete Leadership Program.

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MEET OUR CHAMPIONS

Testimonials

I enjoy participating in Special Olympics because it is always encouraging me to do my best. When I compete, I feel like I’m in a movie about acceptance and courage.

Jayson Warsuma

I've had some pretty bad things happen to me in most of my life. Special Olympics has helped me learn how to stand up for myself in real life and conquer my fears.

Raymond Hooper

People think that just because he or she is handicapped that they will not be able to do certain things. But that is not true. We can do things. Simply put, we can.

Rudy Almeida

What Special Olympics does for us is gives us self-esteem. It taught me about myself and how I can accomplish my dreams. People say I can’t do certain things because I have an intellectual disability but that’s not true.

Michelle Core

Paul Hoffman has competed in Special Olympics for more than 30 years and is passionate about the changes sports have made in his life. Not only has athletics made him a healthier person, but it has given him more self-confidence and a sense of pride.

CONNECT

CONTACT US

info@sosc.org
562.502.1100
1600 Forbes Way
Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90810

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SITE LINKS

Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.