
Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished athletes of all time. He captured more Olympic medals, World Championships, US National Titles, and world records than any other swimmer in history. Throughout his career, Phelps has been committed to helping to promote the sport of swimming at all levels. He established the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008 to promote water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams. That same year, he was recognized by Sports Illustrated as the “Sportsman of the Year” while, befittingly, Eunice Kennedy Shriver posthumously received the publications “Legacy Award.”
Phelps’ relationship with Special Olympics began as an Ambassador of 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, which included a number of swim clinics with athletes from Special Olympics China. With a shared vision to provide opportunities in the sport of swimming to people of all ages and abilities, Phelps was named a Global Ambassador in 2011 and his Foundation's signature program, im, was designated as Special Olympics’ Official Swimming Program. The partnership was solidified with a groundbreaking international pilot program that spanned seven countries across six continents. The Foundation developed the Young Athletesim, for a swimmers first introduction to the water in 2012.
The 2015 World Summer Games, which Phelps served as a flag bearer for the Opening Ceremonies, featured some of the im program participants who qualified for the Games as well as a special im Fast Swim Clinic clinic and relay for other athletes in attendance. Since then, thousands of athletes spanning more than 35 countries have been afforded the opportunity and encouragement to become more comfortable, confident and faster in the water.
His work with the Foundation has earned him recognition as the AAFA’s “Humanitarian of the Year,” Boys & Girls Clubs of America “Champion of Youth,” Laureus’s “Excellence in Achievement,” and SAMHSA’s “Special Recognition Award” among others. Michael Phelps Foundation continues to work with Special Olympics providing coaches training around the world.
Michael Phelps Foundation
-
Andre Drummond
NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Chicago Bulls -
Apolo Anton Ohno
Olympic Champion, Short Track Speedskating -
Avril Lavigne
Musician & Philanthropist -
Robert "Bob" Beamon
Olympic Champion, Long Jump -
Brooklyn Decker Roddick
Actress & Model -
Charles Melton
Actor -
Dale Moss
Former NFL Player, Model, Actor & Media Personality -
Damian Lillard
NBA All Star, Portland Trailblazers -
Devin Booker
NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns -
Didier Drogba
Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player -
Eddie Barbanell
Actor & Comedian -
Elena Delle Donne
WNBA Player, Washington Mystics -
Erika Ender
Singer / Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer & Actress -
Gleyber Torres
2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop -
Hannah Teter
Olympic Champion, Snow Boarding -
Hidetoshi Nakata
Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player -
Hussein Fahmy
Egyptian Actor -
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Olympic Champion, Fencing -
In-Kyung Kim
Professional Golfer -
Jamaal Charles
Former NFL Player & All Pro Runningback -
Joe Haden
Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back -
John C. McGinley
Actor & Advocate -
Julen Lopetegui
Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla -
Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt
New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer -
Lauren Potter
Actor & Advocate -
Li Na
Former Professional Tennis Player, WTA -
Maureen McCormick
Actor, Singer, New York Times Best-Selling Author -
Michael Phelps
Olympic Champion, Swimming -
Michelle Kwan
Olympic Figure Skater -
Nadia Comaneci
Olympic Champion, Gymnastics -
Nicole Scherzinger
International Recording Artist & Television Personality -
Padraig Harrington
Professional Golfer -
Paul Wight
Six-Time WWE World Champion -
Ricky Rubio
NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Sam Perkins
Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend -
Seun Adigun
Summer & Winter Olympian, Hurdles & Bobsledding -
Vanessa Williams
Singer & Broadway Performer -
Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic
Olympic Champion, Volleyball -
Willson Contreras
2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher -
Yang Lan
Founding Chairperson, Sun Culture Media Group and Sun Culture Foundation; Journalist; Philanthropist -
Yang Yang
Olympic Champion, Speed Skating -
Yao Ming
NBA All Star & Chairman of the International Basketball Federation Asia (FIBA) -
Yuna Kim
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating -
Zhou Xun
Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist -
Zou Shiming
Olympic Champion, Boxing -
View All
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.