Rylynn Zanon

Rylynn from the United States is 20 years old and began her Special Olympics journey in 2016 after a doctor recommended it might be something she’d enjoy—and he was right. She participates in bowling and track and field with Special Olympics Minnesota and has taken on many leadership roles over the years. From 2020 to 2023, she served on the Minnesota Student Board of Directors, finishing her final year as co–vice president. In high school, she was co-president of her school’s Unified Club, TRUST Club (True Respected Unifies Students Together), and also served as a four-year captain of her adapted floor hockey team and a three-year captain of the adapted soccer team. As a youth ambassador, Rylynn shares her story to show how Special Olympics has impacted her life by helping her stay active, make new friends, and participate in sports she might not otherwise have had the chance to try. Through her term on the Global Youth Leadership Council, she hopes to spread the message of inclusion and show how the Unified movement can create positive impact on the world.