With heavy hearts, the Special Olympics global community is remembering the empowering legacy of Dikembe Mutombo, our longtime supporter and champion of rights for people with intellectual disabilities. A basketball hall-of-famer and eight-time NBA all-star, Mutombo became a Special Olympics Global Ambassador in 2012 following his participation in Unified Sports events at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece the previous year. His work with the athletes and movement led to his appointment as a Special Olympics Board Member from 2013 to 2022.
Mutombo’s impact on the #InclusionRevolution was profound. In 2017, he established the first-ever Special Olympics program in his native Democratic Republic of Congo and continued to support them through the years. As a big believer in the power of sport to build bridges of understanding, he was an early and dedicated supporter of Unified Sports®, which bring together people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams.
“Dikembe traveled the world for our movement, and whether in Japan, China, South Africa, or the USA, he brought a joy for life, a love of sport, and a profound belief in the greatness of Special Olympics athletes. He was more than a Hall of Fame basketball player -- he was a Hall of Fame humanitarian. Our prayers are with Rose, his children, and all who loved him.”
Over the years, Dikembe Mutombo participated in Unified Sports events all around the world—from Europe to Africa, from Asia to North America. He didn’t play as a Unified teammate only in Unified basketball games but also joined teams in floor hockey, floorball, handball and bowling. He always took extra time to meet with Special Olympics athletes, who were excited to see their hero in person.
“Today, we lost a true giant. Dikembe Mutombo was more than a remarkable basketball player; he was a powerful advocate for inclusion. His work as a global ambassador and founding member of Special Olympics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has left an indelible mark on countless lives. We are forever grateful for his dedication and impact. His work and spirit will continue to inspire future generations. Thinking of his family, Rose and his children at this sad time.”
Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts are too many to count and were felt beyond sports. In 2007, his foundation started the Biamba Marie Mutomobo Hospital in Kinshasa, the city of his birth. He served at the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), worked tirelessly to grow the Basketball Africa League, and was developing plans to open a university in Congo.
Dikembe Mutombo will be remembered as a true champion of inclusion.