Special Olympics Jamaica athlete David Duncan is a tall and slim figure, who wears elegant glasses. He speaks softly but clearly, making sure he’s understood. His thoughtful demeanor and strong leadership skills are large reasons he finds himself as the newly named chairperson for the Global Athlete Leadership Council (GALC). In this role, he leads athlete leaders from each of the seven regions who provide feedback, guidance, and ideas to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Leadership Team.
Special Olympics Guatemala athlete Daniel Guerra currently serves as the vice chair.
“To have been elected as the new Chair of the GALC means that I now not only represent athletes with IDD [intellectual and development disabilities] in my Region, North America, but athletes in all seven Regions,” Duncan says of the appointed role. “I now must work together with my fellow GALC members to bring awareness worldwide to create a more inclusive world. I also will work together with the staff of SOI, Region leads and with the help of my mentor, to prove to the world that every athlete has the ability to achieve if given a chance.”
“David is an amazing athlete leader and we are so excited to have him representing SONA, but he also wants to make sure that he can make a much larger impact if he listens to and shares the voices of athletes from all over the world,” Alyssa Cress, manager, inclusive leadership development for Special Olympics, says about Duncan being in the role.
Duncan got his start in Special Olympics as a volunteer during Jamaica’s national games. Whether or not he planned on becoming an athlete, that single moment would change his life forever.
He found volleyball and over time would meet Roy Howell and Lorna Bell, leaders within the Special Olympics Jamaica Program. Once he made the transition to competing in Special Olympics, he developed an immense sense of pride in being able to play Special Olympics Unified Sports®, teams that bring individuals with and without intellectual disabilities together to train and compete.
“David is an amazing young man with great potential. David has made a great impact in his role both locally and internationally,” Roy Howell, Special Olympics Jamaica Executive Director, says. “David's role has a great impact on his fellow athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers. We have seen his growth and are very proud of his contribution to Special Olympics Jamaica.” Howell also applauds Duncan for taking advantage of every opportunity that comes up.
Duncan credits Special Olympics for his personal development outside of sports. Having autism, he mentions his struggles and how Special Olympics helped with that, especially when he could learn with and from individuals with similar experiences. “I have developed leadership qualities because of the courses I have done with Special Olympics,” Duncan says.
“David is an amazing athlete leader, and we are so excited to have him representing SONA, but he also knows that he can make a much larger impact if he listens to and shares the voices of athletes from all over the world,” Cress says. “All of our Regions are so different, and it is important to have a diverse representation of athletes who live in different places, have different experiences, and have a different perspective on what our athletes need,” Cress continues.
Since becoming a Special Olympics athlete, Duncan has taken advantage of the resources the organization provides, slowly growing into the leader he is today. He knows his new platform is a big one and recognizes the need to advocate not just for himself, but athletes around the world.
