When a city prepares to host a Special Olympics World Games, every detail matters. From competition venues and transportation to accommodation and the Opening Ceremony, each decision helps shape the experience for athletes and their families. But how can organizers know whether their plans will work for the people at the heart of the Games? The Sport and Competition Department has the simple answer, ask the athletes themselves.
The World Games Athlete Advisory Committee was created to bring Athlete Leaders more directly into the planning and evaluation of major events, giving them a formal role in reviewing plans, sharing feedback and helping shape the Games experience. The idea came after the successful involvement of German athlete leaders in the envisioning of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. The expanded committee concept was developed with Special Olympics Board Sport and Competition Committee Co-Chair Kiera Byland, who became the champion of bringing the athlete perspective into the World Games process in a more consistent way.
“Our goal is to learn the athlete's perspective on all elements of our global events,” said Caitriona Dunne, Special Olympics Sport and Competition Manager and committee organizer.
That perspective can reveal things that may not be obvious to staff working behind the scenes. Organizers can review logistics, assess venues and develop detailed plans, but athletes experience those decisions firsthand. Their feedback can help identify what works, what needs to change, and what might otherwise be overlooked.
“I don't experience events like an athlete would,” Dunne said. “So we need for them to see what the plans are and to see what will work and what won't work. We've always had an athlete on a site visit before a Games, but we've never had them like this working with an Local Organizing Committee (LOC).”
To bring a range of perspectives to the committee, the team developed selection criteria that considered candidates’ experience attending World Games, knowledge of sport, health experience, and experience as an official or in another role at major competitions. Applications were shared through the Regions, reviewed against the criteria and followed by interviews. The goal was to bring together Athlete Leaders with different backgrounds and experiences who could contribute to different aspects of Games planning. The committee consists of:
- Kiera Byland - Board Representative
- Daniel Guerra - GALC Representative
- Alvaro Brochero – Special Olympics Latin America
- Daina Shilts - Special Olympics North America
- Sammy Kamande - Special Olympics Africa
- Sami Korhonen - Special Olympics Europe Eurasia
- Caitriona Dunne - Administrator
As the committee began its work, both the athletes and staff had to adjust to a new way of collaborating. Members were learning how to contribute to meetings and review materials, while the team was learning how best to support their participation and make space for meaningful feedback. Over time, Caitriona has seen the conversations become more interactive, with more opportunities for members to share ideas and discuss plans together.
“It's less presenting and more discussion now,” Dunne said. “I said, ‘You're here because we want to hear your voice.'”
The committee exists because Athlete Leaders bring experience and insight that staff need to hear. Their role is not simply to attend meetings, but to help influence decisions and identify opportunities to make the Games better for athletes and families.
The committee has already contributed to discussions about the Opening Ceremony for World Games Santiago 2027, including the development of its concept. As planning progresses, Athlete Leaders will have opportunities to review proposals, share their recommendations and help staff assess whether ideas will work in practice. The committee also hopes to work with additional departments, including Communications, so Athlete Leaders can provide feedback on plans before they are finalized.
During the Games, members are expected to help evaluate specific aspects of the event and support the collection of client satisfaction feedback. This includes connecting with fellow athletes, coaches, family members, and others to encourage them to complete surveys, helping organizers understand how people experienced the Games and where improvements may be needed.
The committee is still developing, and its first year has involved learning what works, strengthening participation, and establishing a more consistent rhythm for collaboration.
As the work continues, the ambition is to make athlete input a more consistent part of how Special Olympics plans, delivers and evaluates major events with the hope and expectation that this committee will evaluate all international events. When athletes have a meaningful role in shaping the Games they compete in, their voices can help create better experiences, not only for themselves, but for the families, volunteers and communities who make the movement possible.
In the coming weeks, we'll introduce the Athlete Leaders behind the committee, sharing their stories, experiences, and the unique perspectives they're bringing.
