When I woke up at 2 a.m., I was already excited. I knew it would be a long day, but I was motivated and looking forward to traveling to Serbia to meet other Athlete Leaders, exchange ideas and learn from their experiences.
I was one of 13 Athlete Leaders from across the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia region invited to take part in the Regional Athlete Congress. Over two days, we had the opportunity to connect, share our perspectives, and discuss how athletes can help shape the future of Special Olympics.
After arriving in Serbia and meeting the other Athlete Leaders, we began the first full day with conversations about the upcoming Global Athlete Congress and how athletes from our region can help shape its priorities. We discussed the connection between fitness and sport, and how Special Olympics can do more to support athletes' health and well-being. We also shared ideas about what matters most to athletes and which topics should be brought to the global stage.
Another highlight was a workshop on communication and storytelling. We explored how to share our Special Olympics experiences, use social media, and become more confident speaking about the movement. I realized how important our stories are in helping others understand Special Olympics and encouraging more people to get involved.
The second day focused on the future of Athlete Leadership and how athletes can have more opportunities to influence decisions and shape the organization. We also discussed inclusion and accessibility, sharing our own experiences and identifying ways Special Olympics can make sure more people with intellectual disabilities have opportunities to participate, contribute, and be heard.
One of the most meaningful parts of the Congress was having the opportunity to share our feedback directly with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia staff. We presented our ideas and recommendations, making sure that athlete perspectives were part of the conversation.
Throughout the Congress, one message stood out to me: athlete health must be a priority. As athletes, our health is number one. We need access to good health care, opportunities to stay active, and support for our mental well-being, too. Our conversations about mental health and anxiety gave me an idea I would love to bring back to Estonia. I would like to organize a Unified camp where athletes and Unified partners can talk openly about mental health, anxiety, and how we can support one another.
The Congress was a long but rewarding experience. I left feeling good, motivated, and inspired by the other Athlete Leaders and everything we discussed. It reminded me that being an Athlete Leader is not only about representing yourself. It is about listening to others, sharing your ideas, and helping create positive change.
I am excited to bring what I learned back to Estonia and turn some of these ideas into action. I hope to keep building opportunities for athletes to speak up, lead, and make a difference in their communities.
