In lead-up to the launch of a new Special Olympics initiative, SO-Link (Linking Athletes with Scientific Opportunities), I met with Special Olympics Virginia athlete David Egan to talk about the importance of including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in research.
David is a Special Olympics Virginia athlete, the author of “More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome,” and was selected as a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger in 2014. He joined Special Olympics when he was 10 and has been an athlete for nearly 40 years. He currently competes in softball, basketball, and soccer, and has previously competed in swimming and speed skating. David has also been involved in research for most of his life.
That connection to research shaped how David views its purpose and why he believes it is important for people with IDD to be involved. “I have participated in research related to fine and gross motor skills development when I was two years old at the Waisman Center in Madison, WI,” he said.
David serves on several boards, such as the NIH Down Syndrome Consortium, and continues to participate in research and advisory activities. “Nothing about us without us,” he added. “That means that our involvement is critical.” Through Special Olympics, David has also been involved in the development of a new Special Olympics initiative, SO-Link.
SO-Link is an initiative that connects athletes with opportunities to participate in approved research and evaluation projects relevant to their health. SO-Link officially launched on 20 June at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
To date, nearly 16,000 athletes with IDD from 20 Special Olympics North America Programs have signed up to join SO-Link and indicated willingness to consider, together with their families and their doctors, participation in research and evaluation projects.
During our conversation, David reflected on his involvement with SO-Link and how it got started. “After the planning sessions, we had small group discussions on how to launch the SO-Link. It's great to see that the ideas discussed two years ago are now a reality. I'm hoping that all athletes, families, and coaches will sign up and participate.”
David shared that the reason he believes SO-Link is important is because it is the hub of critical data to improve the lives and the well-being of athletes. David added, “Being healthy is a goal for every person on this earth, including individuals with intellectual challenges and differences.”
Closing out our conversation, David mentioned a message to athletes who might be interested in getting involved with research, “Let's imagine the possibilities and dream of a world where people with disabilities are included and have access to receive the best healthcare services like everyone else. Thanks to advances in the medical field, we are living longer. However, it is not enough to live long. We need to prosper… We need to change the world's perceptions, but together we can make it happen by advocating for all of us. We must build a society that does not exclude but rather includes.”
Visit the SO-Link website to learn more about the initiative and how to get involved.
