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Special Olympics Ambassadors

As icons of success from diverse industries such as sports, music, entertainment, media, and beyond, Special Olympics Global and Champion Ambassadors generously lend their time, talent, and resources to support the Special Olympics mission. They are inspirational role models who share a belief in the power to come together, break down barriers, and foster a world of inclusion while supporting Special Olympics’ expansion of sports, health, youth, and education programs.
Global Ambassadors
Our Global Ambassador appointees advocate for Special Olympics worldwide across all programmatic areas while maintaining a dedicated interest in at least one area of focus in health, youth, education and sport during a minimum two-year term.
Andre Drummond in a red Special Olympics Play Unified t-shirt.

NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Chicago Bulls
Apolo Anton Ohno, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Short Track Speedskating
Avril Lavigne, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Musician & Philanthropist
Robert "Bob" Beamon, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Long Jump
Dale Moss, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Former NFL Player, Model, Actor & Media Personality
Damian Lillard, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

NBA All Star, Portland Trailblazers
Devin Booker in his Phoenix Suns jersey.

NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns
Didier Drogba, Special Olympics Board of Directors Member

Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player
Dikembe Mutombo, Special Olympics Board of Directors and Global Ambassador

Hall of Fame NBA Player
Eddie Barbanell, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Actor & Comedian

WNBA Player, Washington Mystics
Erika Ender, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Singer / Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer & Actress
Gleyber Torres, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop
Hannah Teter, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Snow Boarding
Hidetoshi Nakata, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player
Hussein Fahmy, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Egyptian Actor
Ibtihaj Muhammad, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Fencing
In-Kyung Kim, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Professional Golfer
Jamaal Charles, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Former NFL Player & All Pro Runningback
Joe Haden, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back
John C. McGinley, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Actor & Advocate
Julen Lopetegui, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla
Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt, Special Olympics Champion Ambassadors

New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer
Lauren Potter, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Actor & Advocate
Li Na, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Former Professional Tennis Player, WTA
Maureen McCormick, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Actor, Singer, New York Times Best-Selling Author
Michael Phelps, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Swimming
Michelle Kwan, Special Olympics Treasurer and Global Ambassador

Olympic Medalist, Figure Skating
Nadia Comaneci, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Gymnastics
Nicole Scherzinger, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

International Recording Artist & Television Personality
Padraig Harrington, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Professional Golfer
Big Show (Paul Donald Wight II), Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Six-Time WWE World Champion
Ricky Rubio, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers
Sam Perkins, Special Olympics Global Ambassador and Nyasha Derera Chair, Global Athlete Congress; Special Olympics Athlete, Zimbabwe; Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger

Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend
Seun Adigun, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Summer & Winter Olympian, Hurdles & Bobsledding
Vanessa Williams, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Singer & Broadway Performer
Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic, Special Olympics Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Volleyball
Willson Contreras - St. Louis Cardinals

2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher
Yang Lan, Special Olympics Board of Directors and Global Ambassador

Leading Broadcast Journalist & Media Entrepreneur
Yang Yang, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Speed Skating
Yao Ming, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

NBA All Star & Chairman of the International Basketball Federation Asia (FIBA)
Zhou Xun, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist
Zou Shimming, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Olympic Champion, Boxing
Ambassador Spotlights
Champion Ambassador Montell Jordan watches Special Olympics New York athlete Aziza react to his video announcing her participation in the Special Olympics USA Games 2022 in a previous recording.
1 Min Read
Te presentamos una nueva forma de hacer ejercicio con la ayuda de las superestrellas del béisbol Willson Contreras y Gleyber Torres. Hacer ejercicio con estos videos cinco veces a la semana te va a ayudar a mantenerte en forma y lograr tus metas deportivas.
Celebrity Photographer Nigel Barker hosts Special Olympics New York and Parsons School of Design students at New York Fashion Week photoshoot.
2 Min Read
Champion Ambassadors
Our Champion Ambassadors engage with Special Olympics within a country, region, or state of recruitment and dedicate their time to specifically support one area of focus to help bring awareness to the important work of Special Olympics.
Alia Atkinson, Special Olympics

Olympic Swimmer, Commander Class Order of Distinction (CD)- Jamaica
Chris Nikic, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Special Olympics Triathlete/Motivational Speaker
Dalton Risner, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

NFL Player, Denver Broncos, Offensive Guard
Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar

WWE Superstar, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador
Eddie Yarbrough, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive End
Emma Broyles Miss America 2022

Miss America 2022
Gaby Dabrowski, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Professional Tennis Player, WTA
Lily D Moore Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Actress and Model
Mack Hollins, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

NFL Player, Las Vegas Raiders, Wide Receiver
Montell Jordan, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

International Recording Artist/Pastor
Nigel Barker, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador, CEO, Studio NB Inc., Fashion Photographer, Author, and TV Personality

CEO, Studio NB Inc., Fashion Photographer, Author, and TV Personality
Victoria Arlen, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

ESPN SportsCenter Host
Alumni Ambassadors
Our Alumni Ambassadors are former Ambassadors who graciously dedicated their time and talent to support our Special Olympics family. They continue to be allies of the movement and have established a legacy of goodwill around our worldwide mission of inclusion for which we are eternally grateful.
Health Expert & Advocate
Olympian & World Champion Swimmer
Legendary Professional Soccer Player
Inclusion activist, Unified Partner and Philanthropist
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating