What a year it’s been since my election as Global Athlete Congress Chair during the World Games in Berlin, Germany, in June 2023. This incredible journey has been filled with opportunities to promote Special Olympics and be the voice for over 4 million athletes, advocating for inclusion and representing our community on the global stage.
Preparing for the World Games in Santiago
One of the standout moments was on 24 March, when I had the privilege of representing the Athlete Leadership as part of the SOI Evaluation Committee when conducting a site visit for the 2027 World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile. My role was to evaluate the level of athlete involvement at every stage of their bid. Working alongside my fellow athlete leader Álvaro Brochero, we highlighted the value of the athlete’s voice to local and government officials, emphasizing the importance of genuine athlete involvement in the planning and execution of such significant events.
Co-hosting at SportAccord
SportAccord presented another unique and influential opportunity, bringing together international federations of sport. I had the honor of co-hosting the diversity forum, where I challenged the stereotypical notion that athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) are seen, but not heard. I reinforced the importance of young people’s voices and the need to learn from our valuable perspectives. In various meetings with Special Olympics and Sports Federation officials, I set the challenge of including athletes with ID as an everyday practice. I seized every moment to promote Special Olympics, sharing daily updates on social media to amplify our message.
Delivering a Keynote Speech at AIPS Conference
A particularly exciting milestone was delivering a keynote speech at the International Sport’s Press Association (AIPS) centenary global conference in Santa Susanna, Barcelona. As the first athlete with ID to address this audience, I challenged the sports media to leverage their platforms to promote inclusion in sport and society. I urged them to cover more Special Olympics events and share our stories, emphasizing that we are ready to showcase our talents and celebrate our abilities. I also posed a provocative question: “Have you ever thought about hiring someone with IDD? If not, why not?”
A Visit to 10 Downing Street
Another highlight this year was visiting 10 Downing Street, the home of Great Britain’s Prime Minister. This visit provided an opportunity to ensure that the athletes' voice is central to discussions about potentially hosting a future World Games in Great Britain. The significance of this moment was not lost on me, as it underscored the growing recognition of the importance of athlete involvement at the highest levels of decision-making.
Training Athlete Leaders in Washington DC
My journey also took me to Washington, DC, where I helped train and upskill new Global Athlete Leadership Council members and Sargent Shriver Global Messengers. I emceed an event alongside Bank of America staff and attended a renewal of partnership meeting with Bank of America staff and Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics. These experiences reinforced the importance of collaboration and the collective effort required to advance our mission.
As Congress Chair, my goal is to encourage more women and girls to participate and stay involved in sport and leadership roles. I hope to achieve this by serving as a positive female role model. Special Olympics is an athlete-led organization, and I am proud to be proof of that.
