Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) allow athletes to explore opportunities for participation in roles previously considered "non-traditional." Through ALPs, athletes serve on Boards of Directors or local organizing committees. Athletes excel as spokespersons, team captains, coaches and officials. Álvaro Miranda of Special Olympics Peru, center, participates in a Special Olympics Families meeting. Miranda, a member of the 2002 Class of Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers — an ALPs initiative — remains active in advancing the movement globally. As athletes mature, they look for new challenges and ways to utilize the wisdom that comes from their life and Special Olympics experiences. ALPs initiatives are designed to provide those challenges and opportunities for the maturing athlete. ALPs initiatives also provide an excellent way for Special Olympics athletes to demonstrate to the larger community their talents and interests that may have gone unnoticed before. As an integral component of Special Olympics' dedication to empowerment and dignity, ALPs initiatives provide new opportunities for athletes and benefit the movement as a whole. Learn more about Athlete Leadership Programs by visiting the Initiatives section of this Web site. Questions can also be directed to Dave Lenox, Vice President, Sports & Competition, +1 (202) 628-3630 or dlenox@specialolympics.org.