Sports delegates selected for Special Olympics North America Athletic Conference They see themselves as leaders. Leadership is what they intend to do before, during and after Congress convenes in March. They know they are empowered to discuss tough topics and find solutions to big challenges.
This is the power they are willing to use.
Sports driving “It pushes the status quo, changes the narrative, and pushes the people at the top to look from a different point of view,” he says. Ben FieldsSports leader from Special Olympics Origon. “I look at how far we’ve come — 20, 30, 50 years ago to where we are now.”
Global focus on sports driving
This long view is appropriate. He is among 26 sports delegates who attended the first ever sports conference held in Special Olympics North America (SONA) region..
The conference is scheduled to be held in early March in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for sports delegates from Canada, the Caribbean and the United States.
Its ultimate goal is to select delegates to advance to 2027 Global Athletic Conference (GAC) In Santiago, Chile. Athlete delegates will also select the four most important issues affecting the Special Olympics movement; These topics will then be discussed in more detail at the 2027 GAC. Each Special Olympics region will hold its own sports conference to do the same.
Topics identified through more than 200 responses to the SONA athlete questionnaire were discussed during online meetings with senior staff from the SONA region. They presented topics and their perspectives as SONA employees, while delegates listened, made suggestions, and most importantly, asked questions.
Each athlete delegate represents thousands of other athletes
The running theme during those meetings was the need to represent SONA athletes in the best and most informed way possible.
“Leadership is giving a voice to others,” he says. “It comes with responsibility, but it makes me proud to know that I represent my branch and my region well. It’s not just about me, it’s about the athletes who have chosen me to represent them.” Erin MageeSports leader from Special Olympics Nova Scotia Who attends the SONA Sports Conference.
Athletic Conference delegates are well aware of the position of responsibility they share. Many athletes throughout the SONA region did not have the training, experience and opportunity afforded to conference attendees due to differences in funding, availability of programs and other resources between programs. It may also be difficult to find opportunities for leadership positions.
“A lot of times people think athletes can’t express their emotions, so they push them aside,” he says. Sports Leader Stacey Johnston Gleason from Special Olympics Montana.
“So, capable people – like us – need to step up and be leaders and do it for them. We need to fight for them.”
Prepare for discussions with long-term impact
This part of the responsibility preoccupies many delegates in the weeks leading up to the conference.
“I talk to my teammates, the program’s athlete leadership council, mentors, coaches, parents, and guardians to understand challenges and priorities,” he says. Augustin Lara to Special Olympics Colorado.
every two weeks, Josh Alters to Special Olympics Kansas Meets with program leaders to prepare for his or her work as a delegate.
“I try to put my finger on everything I can for Congress and get involved in it,” Alters says.
The athletes’ conference says it will highlight what Special Olympics athletes believe needs to be fixed Brett GriffithsSports leader from Special Olympics Manitoba.
“Any challenge other athletes pose is important,” says Griffiths. “If it’s a challenge for them, it’s worth discussing and seeing if we can change it.”
