Talk a little with the sports leaders who go to Special Olympics North America Athletic Conference In Michigan, you will notice that they have some things in common.
They are excited and a little nervous.
They are experienced at driving and focus on gaining valuable knowledge from the event.
2026 is the year of important meetings
All seven Special Olympics regions will hold regional conferences for athletes in 2026. All regional conferences are supported by Bank of America grants. Each region will bring together members of the Regional Sports Leadership Councils (RALC) as well as other selected sports leaders. During each conference, RALC members will vote to select their fellow Council members to advance to the 2027 World Athletes’ Conference in Santiago, Chile.
Athlete leaders at regional conferences around the world will discuss a range of issues facing the Special Olympics movement identified by athletes. The four most important issues identified worldwide will be the focus of discussion, problem solving and recommendations at the World Athletes’ Congress in Santiago.
They take their role in the SONA Athletic Conference very seriously.
“The conference gives athlete leaders an opportunity to be agents of change — to help Special Olympics become more athlete-led,” says Jordan Schubert. “We’re moving in that direction one step at a time, and this is another step forward.” to Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
“Congress gives us a voice,” says Drexel Joseph, the sports leader. Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago. “Often, people with disabilities rely on teachers or parents to speak for them. Congress allows us to interact with people like us and speak for ourselves.”
The beginning of something big
When the 26 SONA Sports Conference delegates land in Grand Rapids in early March, they will enter into an exciting week of training, debate, idea development, decision-making, campaigning and voting.
“As athletes, we represent the future of the Special Olympics movement,” says Athlete Leader Austin Stein. “We have a right to have a say in the direction it goes.” to Special Olympics Kentucky.
“Our athletes know that leadership is about speaking up, listening to others, and helping make things better,” says Christina Rodriquez, Director of Global Leadership Development for Special Olympics. “When athletes are part of the conversation, it creates a sense of belonging: ‘This is my organization, and my voice matters.’”
“We are extremely proud of the work this group of athletic leaders have already done to make our region’s first-ever athletic conference a success,” he says. Greg EppersonSONA President and Regional Managing Director. “Thanks to their efforts and the support of Bank of America, this is one of our best opportunities for a seismic transformation of the organization to People with intellectual disabilities to an organizationHe drove“By them.”
“Someone told me that this conference is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and that we are basically making history,” says Karen Kerr, the organization’s sports leader. Special Olympics Indiana. “At first, I felt a lot of pressure hearing that. But I also felt honored to have the opportunity and be a part of something meaningful.”
“It’s not just about athletes sharing opinions. The issues raised by athletes at regional conferences will shape the sport’s priorities World Mathematical Congress And help prepare future plans for Special Olympics,” Rodriquez Notes. “It’s not every year that athletes from every region come together and share their vision, and this input is important.”
In interviews, several SONA Sports Conference delegates acknowledged that Special Olympics has placed more athletes in leadership positions, but at the same time, they see significant room for improvement.
“We’ve definitely come a long way. We’re not used to that.” Sports driving“But now we have athlete leadership,” says Ben Fields, an athlete leader from Special Olympics Oregon. “But I don’t think we really lead athletes until we have more influence in day-to-day operations.”
Two categories of delegates at the SONA Sports Conference
The 26 sports leaders who will attend the SONA Sports Conference consist of two groups. Fifteen members of sports leadership councils from CanadaThe Caribbean and the United States. These athlete leaders are eligible to advance to the 2027 World Athlete Congress which represents Special Olympics North America Region.
billy silk, Sports leader from Special Olympics New Yorkis one of the delegates eligible to apply to the GAC in Chile.
“The conference provides a platform to share best practices, discuss new initiatives, and enhance collaboration between various Special Olympics programs,” says Side. “It is an opportunity to exchange ideas between different branches and other sporting leaders – to see how we can change the world.”
Another 11 sports leaders were selected through a competitive process to attend but are not eligible to apply. Instead, these non-advanced sport leaders will plan, organize, manage and lead projects in their local programs.
Anita Griffin Special Olympics Massachusetts She’s not eligible to apply to Chile, but she was brimming with excitement when she discussed what she could learn in Grand Rapids.
“I can report and share what’s happening in Massachusetts. We have athletes who work in media, public speaking, and fundraising. Congress allows us to work on projects we can take back, spread stories, and push for changes we care about. When athletes have a voice in policy, other athletes are more open about what they want to see.”
Although the issues facing SONA sports leaders vary from place to place, a common theme is an enthusiasm to address issues close to home and at the global level.
“I’m focused on making Special Olympics stronger for everyone across the board,” says Travis Stockart, an advanced athlete leader from Special Olympics Wisconsin.
“Even if people have differences, everyone can be open to hearing ideas — and maybe we can create something good together and create a better place for everyone in the Special Olympics movement.”
