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Special Olympics Names Athlete Spokespersons

Ten Sargent Shriver Global Messengers from around the world will represent the sports movement.

Washington, D.C., 31 January 2024 – Ten Special Olympics athletes have been selected to serve as 2024 – 2027 Sargent Shriver Global Messengers, prestigious spokesperson roles for the global sports movement.

Special Olympics Sargent Shriver Global Messengers (SSGMs) are powerful communicators representing their fellow athletes to the world. Their responsibility is to convey the urgency of inclusion, invite people into the movement, and demonstrate that Special Olympics is every day, everywhere, for everyone.

The ten 2024 – 2027 SSGMs:

“Special Olympics athletes are the most authentic representatives of our global sports movement. Sargent Shriver Global Messengers are our strongest voices for inclusion, and I am proud for them to travel the world to spread the message of hope and inclusion.”
Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics

The new class of SSGMs will meet at Special Olympics headquarters in Washington, DC, for in-depth training sponsored by Bank of America May 6 – 10 to fine-tune their skills as global spokespersons.

“As a long-time partner to Special Olympics International, Bank of America is committed to advocating for a more inclusive society by elevating the voices and stories of Special Olympics athletes worldwide” said Ebony Thomas, President of the Bank of America Foundation. “The Sargent Shriver Global Messengers program is just one example of the many ways that we partner to empower athletes, build their confidence, and break down societal barriers.”

Sargent Shriver Global Messengers are available for public speaking roles on inclusion, sports, advocacy, and other topics.

Named for the late Sargent Shriver, husband of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Sargent Shriver Global Messengers have been selected through a competitive application process for more than 20 years. The 2024 – 2027 class of ten was selected from 99 nominations from 25 U.S. states and 29 countries.

About Special Olympics

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With over four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in 200 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.

Sargent Shriver Global Messengers

2024 – 2027

Yeruult Batbayar

Special Olympics East Asia

Grace Payne

Special Olympics Asia Pacific

Malvin Mukombe

Special Olympics Africa

Gilmour Borg

Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

Margaret Turley

Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

Pablo Composto

Special Olympics Latin America

Melissa Mazariegos

Special Olympics Latin America

Mujahid Al-Sarhani

Special Olympics Middle East / North Africa

Wyatt Spalding

Special Olympics North America

Susan Wang

Special Olympics North America

Media Contact

Media Contact

Special Olympics International