At the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, the International Global Messengers are spreading the message and vision of the movement as well as the benefits they have gained by participating in Special Olympics. Meet the 2002 Class of Global Messengers.
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The Special Olympics message of opportunity, achievement and joy is an incredibly powerful one, and never more so than when delivered by a Special Olympics athlete. Only athletes can effectively relate the impact that the movement has had on their lives and the lives of their families. The Special Olympics Global Messengers are leaders of the movement, communicating the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage of athletes around the world. Every two years, 12 athletes are selected to train through the Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger program.
At the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, the 12 International Global Messengers are fulfilling a variety of roles — providing opening remarks at all meetings and receptions and promoting the messages of Special Olympics to the international assembly. “They see their attendance at the Games as an opportunity to help by being the face of Special Olympics athlete leaders,” said Dave Lenox, Vice President, Sports & Competition for Special Olympics. “They also see an opportunity to promote their platform issues to the politicians, celebrities and guests they meet during interviews and appearances.”
In addition, a key project is the preparation of their own evaluation of the Games, interviewing competitors in order to best present the World Games experience from the athletes’ perspective and determine if any changes or additions in the future will enhance their experience.
The current class of Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers, and their platform issues, are:
Tamana Chona, Special Olympics India/Bharat (get more schools involved in participating in Special Olympics; raise awareness and funds by organizing fundraisers and events)
Rodney Hankins, Special Olympics New York, USA (raise awareness of the importance of physical fitness and nutrition)
Jack Hess, Special Olympics Manitoba, Canada (advocates Special Olympics Manitoba’s Medallion Program, requiring athletes to sign a contact committing them to training five days a week and eating a healthy diet)
Erin Holloway, Special Olympics Colorado, USA (provide sensitivity and team building training for Special Olympics Boards of Directors that have an athlete member)
Chan Tim Lei, Special Olympics Macau (get families involved with events and provide more support to athletes)
Paul Marretti, Special Olympics Virginia, USA (recruit Special Olympics athletes to become Board of Directors; educate Board Chairs about how athletes can have a more meaningful and inclusive leadership experience)
Katie Meade, Special Olympics Iowa, USA (educating the public on the benefits of Special Olympics)
Álvaro Miranda, Special Olympics Peru (recruit more families, especially fathers, to support their athletes)
Ephraim Mohlakane, Special Olympics South Africa (speak to corporations to raise awareness of the Special Olympics movement throughout Africa and the world)
Mayssa Sandakly, Special Olympics Lebanon (athlete recruitment throughout the Middle East and North Africa regions)
Serena Silvi, Special Olympics Italy (encourage athletes to take their training seriously)
Leonid Stoiline, Special Olympics Russia (promoting local solutions for outreach; enlisting athletes as coaches and mentors for younger athletes)
Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers can be booked for speaking engagements and media interviews by contacting Special Olympics at +1 (202) 628-3630.
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