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International Global Messengers can be booked for speaking engagements and media interviews; contact Special Olympics, +1 (202) 628-3630.
The 2002-2004 Class |
Every two years, 12 athletes are selected to train through the Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger program and serve as primary spokespeople on behalf of Special Olympics, appearing in national and international media outlets and delivering addresses before large audiences.
The Global Messengers come from around the globe, reflecting the scope and reach of the movement, and have proven to be the movement's most effective spokespersons. Through their appearances in the media and in speeches to civic and business groups, the Global Messengers carry forth the themes that are most important to athletes in Special Olympics Programs around the world.
The 2004-2006 Class of Sargent Shriver
International Global Messengers:
Xu Chuang, 17
Special Olympics China
Sports: Table Tennis, Athletics, Football
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Xu Chuang, Special Olympics China |
Xu Chuang of Shanghai, China, credits Special Olympics for providing him the opportunity to grow and succeed. “I was once very shy and not willing to talk with others,” he said. “Special Olympics changed my life and my love of sports and helped me achieve all this unimaginable success.” Chuang won a gold medal in table tennis at the 5th Special Olympics Shanghai Games in 1999, but remembers a moment three years later as a turning point in his personal evolution.
In September 2002, he attended the 3rd Special Olympics China National Games in Xi’an, participating as a reporter for the Global Youth Summit. “At that time I was deeply touched by the spirit of all the people there,” he said. “From then on, I was determined to be a real athlete, to compete in the National Games and even in the World Games!” His dream came true in 2003, when, as a member of the Special Olympics China football (soccer) team, he won a silver medal. Today he runs every morning and trains for competitions in a variety of sports including table tennis, floor hockey and football.
Chuang continued to grow when he was chosen to be a Global Messenger in a ceremony in Beijing. He joined a training program in March 2004, and “changed from an athlete who only knows through training and competition to gain a gold medal to being a leader of Special Olympics athletes.” Chuang wants to take his new-found confidence and encourage people to learn more about Special Olympics and to join and support the movement. He attends Chong Hua Vocational Training School where his teachers and classmates admire him for his talents in athletics, his dedication to improvement and his kind and hilarious personality. << return to top >>
Richard Conley, 42
Special Olympics Kansas (USA)
Sports: Bowling, Basketball
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Richard Conley , Special Olympics Kansas (USA) |
Richard Conley was born in Wichita, Kansas, in 1962. After struggling in regular public schools, he began special education at the age of 13, and his life has been better ever since.
Conley’s presence is memorable. He never forgets a name or face and can recall the smallest details from directions to faraway places to call letters of every radio station in Kansas. He is a charismatic speaker with the ability to inspire others to make a difference in their communities.
Conley began participating in Special Olympics in 1976, competing in volleyball, basketball, bowling, athletics and softball. He traveled to the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, where he competed in volleyball.
Though he is now less active as an athlete, training in basketball and bowling, Conley still volunteers with Special Olympics at both the local and state levels. He is also enthusiastic about his volunteer work at a local nursing home and hospice facility. Conley is passionate about teaching fellow athletes to also volunteer their time in their communities.
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Nino Salvador Dürler, 35
Special Olympics El Salvador
Sports: Swimming
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Nino D?rler, Special Olympics El Salvador |
Nino Dürler is known for his positive attitude and the way he takes on challenges and overcomes them. He is an excellent athlete, having competed in the 1991 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Minnesota, USA, where he won gold, silver and bronze medals in aquatics. He also competed at the 1999 World Summer Games in North Carolina, USA, in basketball, where his team earned a fourth-place finish.
Dürler is just as hard-working and successful off the court as he is on it. In 2001, he was named to represent athletes on the Special Olympics El Salvador Board of Directors. That same year, he attended the first Special Olympics Regional Athlete Congress in Puerto Rico, and in 2002, he attended the First Special Olympics Latin America Leadership and Governance Seminar in Lima, Peru. In 2003, he was nominated as an athlete member of the Athlete Leadership Programs Advisory Committee, Latin America Region.
Throughout all his achievements, Dürler has remained a thoughtful, likable person who is known as a true gentleman with diverse interests. He has helped with catechism training at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadaluple, works as a transmissions technician for Radio Maria and travels each year to visit family in the United States. He takes advantage of any opportunity to help others and give back to the community that has supported him through all his endeavors.
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Tony Hill, 41
Special Olympics Illinois (USA)
Sports: Athletics
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Tony Hill , Special Olympics Illinois (USA) |
Prior to joining Special Olympics in 1972, Tony Hill was very shy and reserved. Today he is a self-confident and energetic leader serving as the voice for Special Olympics athletes in Illinois. He is a past member of the Special Olympics Illinois Board of Directors and a current member of the Illinois Athlete Input Council.
As a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, Hill will promote the benefits to all people of getting involved in Special Olympics, whether as a volunteer or an athlete.
Now 41, Hill began participating in Special Olympics when he was 11 years old. After living at home and in several group homes in the St. Louis area, Hill moved to his own apartment three years ago. Despite the physical challenges that he faces with cerebral palsy and his intellectual disability, Hill leads an independent life full of joy, spirituality and time with family and friends. During the summer months he trains for the 100-meter wheelchair race.
Hill continues to set goals for himself. He works two jobs and plans to buy a house of his own and possibly marry in the future.
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Marcela Klicperova
Special Olympics Czech Republic
Sports: Alpine Skiing, Aquatics
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Marcela Klicperova, Special Olympics Czech Republic |
Marcela Klicperova has been a Special Olympics athlete since 1991, competing and training regularly in aquatics, athletics and Alpine skiing. She participated in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria in 1993 as well as in a number of national games. Most recently, she has been coaching other athletes in these sports.
As an International Global Messenger, Klicperova is busy delivering the Special Olympics message of inclusion and celebration of all people’s gifts. In October, she participated in the Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia 2004 Regional Leadership Conference in Budapest, where she delivered an enthusiastic speech about Special Olympics Czech Republic. Recently, she attended a benefit concert in Prague and was presented to Czech Republic First Lady Livia Klausová.
Klicperova enjoys studying new languages and is currently learning English, German and French. Her hobbies are working on the computer, taking photos with her digital camera, and sending e-mails all around the world. She strives every day to better herself, achieve independence and break down barriers.
“I would like to use my skills on behalf of Special Olympics; I want more people to share the joy of being a part of Special Olympics,” said Klicperova. “Some years ago I persuaded my friend to participate with my team of skiers at our National Special Olympics Winter Games. He won a gold medal and was chosen to be part of our delegation to the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska! Another time I persuaded another friend to participate in our National Special Olympics Summer Games with my swimming team. He won gold medals and he too was chosen for 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland.
“In the future I wish to continue encouraging more and more athletes to be involved in Special Olympics and I wish to promote Special Olympics to people outside the organization.”
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Yohane Madole, 19
Special Olympics Tanzania
Sports: Athletics
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Yohane Madole, Special Olympics Tanzania |
Yohane Madole was born in Dodoma, Tanzania in 1982 and at a young age his family moved to the smaller town of Iringa. Madole was placed in the local school's first class for children with disabilities. In 1992 he began participating in Special Olympics, playing football (soccer) and running in athletics races. In 2000 his mother died and his father was unable to care for him and his siblings; because of his success in Special Olympics, a decision was made for him to move to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital, where he could live with his uncle.
Madole has been to three Special Olympics Tanzania National Games. In addition, Madole serves on the Special Olympics Africa Leadership Council, and has served on the Athlete Evaluation Team for a regional football tournament.
As a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, Madole will work to ensure that more people in remote villages in his region have the opportunity to train and compete in Special Olympics. His goal is for everyone to be able to participate in the movement.
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Emily Matlack, 23
Special Olympics Northern California (USA)
Sports: Aquatics, Basketball, Bowling, Skiing, Powerlifting, Softball
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Emily Matlack, Special Olympics Northern California (USA) |
A Special Olympics athlete since 1997, Emily Matlack participates in aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting, softball and skiing. She has competed in two Special Olympics World Games, winning a silver medal in softball at the 1999 World Summer Games in Raleigh, North Carolina, and gold and silver medals in cross country skiing at the 2001 World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska.
Matlack believes there is something for everyone at Special Olympics, which is why she chose educating special education teachers about Special Olympics as her platform. Had Matlock’s teachers introduced her to Special Olympics when she was in high school, she might not have experienced the ridicule and rejection that damaged her self-confidence. Matlack has found friendship and acceptance at Special Olympics, and she believes there are many students with similar disabilities who deserve to grow in the nurturing environment that Special Olympics provides.
An energetic motivational speaker, Matlack has delivered messages about her experiences in Special Olympics to the California State Prison in Solano County, the Cingular Wireless Regional Kickoff Meeting in Sacramento, California, and at the International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference in San Francisco, California.
Matlack lives with her parents and older sister, also a Special Olympics athlete, in El Dorado Hills, California. In addition to training and spending time with her family, friends and boyfriend, she works as a cashier and crew leader at Round Table Pizza.
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Dina Galal Moussa, 34
Special Olympics Egypt
Sports: Athletics
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Dina Moussa, Special Olympics Egypt |
Dina Moussa’s strong leadership skills and charismatic personality enable her to be a role model for other athletes. During her term as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, she wants to educate other athletes to be leaders.
Moussa has delivered speeches at several conferences and competitions in Egypt, and her eloquence and strong delivery has made her an inspiration to her peers.
Moussa was born in Egypt during a time when understanding and awareness of people with intellectual disabilities was virtually non-existent. Her parents refused to be satisfied with Egypt's then-limited educational resources and established the Right to Live Association School for people with intellectual disabilities.
Through the support of her progressive family, Moussa became involved in art, music and athletics. An avid sports fan, she joined Special Olympics in 1994 and currently competes in athletics, focusing on the shot put.
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Jennifer Polk, 33
Special Olympics North Carolina (USA)
Sports: Athletics, Basketball, Speed Skating, Bowling, Softball, Alpine Skiing
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Jennifer Polk, Special Olympics North Carolina (USA) |
Jennifer Polk has taken her involvement with Special Olympics far beyond participating as an athlete. She is a certified athletics coach and a Global Messenger for Special Olympics North Carolina.
A Special Olympics athlete since 1989, Polk trains and competes in athletics, basketball, speed skating, bowling, softball and Alpine skiing. She won a bronze medal in the 800 meter, a silver in the 400 meter and a gold in the 4x400 meter relay at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. At the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland, Polk was one of the first female athletes to serve as a coach at an international Special Olympics event..
Polk is an experienced public speaker, serving as an athlete spokesperson, master of ceremonies of the Special Olympics North Carolina's state games and guest news correspondent with Raleigh, North Carolina’s CBS-TV broadcast affiliate WRAL-TV during the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games in North Carolina.
"When you enlighten the public about Special Olympics and give a better understanding of the organization, people accept the athletes for who they are, and as heroes," said Polk. Not only do Global Messengers work to change the public's perception of the athletes, but they also increase community participation in the organization. "I believe people who hear the message will spread the word.”
Polk plans to use her term as an International Global Messenger to promote family involvement with Special Olympics and encourages older athletes to mentor their younger peers.
Polk lives in Winston-Salem with her husband and teammate Donald Wardlow. She is employed in a day care center.
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Bryan Ruff, 21
Special Olympics Georgia (USA)
Sports: Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Football (Soccer)
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Bryan Ruff, Special Olympics Georgia (USA) |
Bryan Ruff's unique charm and personality make him an infectious speaker, inspiring many to get involved with Special Olympics. A Special Olympics athlete since 1992, he competes in athletics, bocce, bowling and football (soccer). Like his role model, Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne, Ruff is a long distance runner and he stands up for his rights. Because he was over the age of 18, Ruff was denied the right to compete on his high school's track team. Undeterred, he took his case before the Georgia High School Association, questioning the fairness of their rules. Ruff made such an impression on the Association that they granted him the right to compete on the Cedar Shoals High School track team for one year.
In 2002, Ruff competed in the Atlanta Half-Marathon, finishing the race with a time of 1:43.49. He placed 779 out of 6,167 runners and came in 62nd out of 159 in his division. Ruff was selected to represent Special Olympics Georgia at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, where he went on to win a silver medal. As a 2004-2006 International Global Messenger, Ruff will travel the world building awareness of Special Olympics and plans to help the movement reach its goal of serving 2 million athletes by the end of 2005. His platform is to activate Special Olympics programming for adults, because many Programs in his home state are school-based.
Ruff graduated from Cedar Shoals High School in May 2004. He works for the University of Georgia Dining Services and serves as a spokesperson for several organizations that help people with intellectual or physical disabilities find employment. Through Special Olympics and his job, Ruff has been able to accomplish things he never previously imagined possible.
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Stig Martin Sandvik
Special Olympics Norway
Sports: Football (Soccer)
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Stig Martin Sandvik, Special Olympics Norway |
Stig Martin Sandvik has been a Special Olympics athlete since 1998. He has been active in sports all his life, playing mainstream football (soccer) with a local club as a child. He was ignored and ridiculed, however, so he joined the Lorenskog Unified Sports® Team, where people with and without intellectual disabilities played together on the same team. This prompted Sandvik to start a Unified team in his local area. By developing a relationship with Lillestrom SK, one of the best elite football teams in Oslo, Norway, Sandvik was the driving force behind the establishment of the Lillestrom SK Unified Team in conjunction with Special Olympics. Today he speaks to various groups on the importance of Unified Sports teams.
Sandvik’s skills and self-esteem have grown dramatically, to the point where he is now an assistant coach. “Before, I had no self-confidence,” said Sandvik. “Playing football has helped me build my self-confidence. Assistant coaching has helped me develop as a team leader, and that gives me a lot of confidence too. My strong point as an assistant coach is to motivate people and help other athletes gain confidence.”
Sandvik’s experiences have taught him the importance of inclusion, and he has traveled throughout his country to tell his story. As a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, he will encourage audiences around the world to include people with intellectual disabilities on and off the playing field. “As a Global Messenger, I would like to help other people get a better life. I want to help people with no self-confidence and make them feel they are winners and tell them not to believe people who tell them they are losers.”
When Sandvik is not competing, coaching or giving speeches, he works in customer service at Maxbo, a home improvement store. He enjoys his job because it enables him to help other people. Sandvik is engaged and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
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Hanako Sawayama, 26
Special Olympics Singapore
Sports: Bowling
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Hanako Sawayama, Special Olympics Singapore |
Hanako Sawayama was once a shy girl who has matured into an independent and thriving athlete, a transformation she credits to Special Olympics. Sawayama now serves as the athlete media spokesperson for Special Olympics Singapore, making passionate speeches about her experiences to audiences around the world.
A Special Olympics athlete for seven years, Sawayama competed in her first international competition at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, where she accomplished one of her greatest achievements — bringing home one gold medal and two silver medals for bowling.
Although English is the predominant language in Singapore, Sawayama's native language is Japanese, so she has been working to develop her grammar and vocabulary. At the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, she will deliver a speech in both Japanese and English.
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