Athlete Leadership

Athlete Leadership empowers athletes to develop leadership skills and utilize their voices and abilities to undertake meaningful leadership roles, influence change in the Special Olympics movement and create inclusive communities across the world. The Special Olympics DC Athlete Leadership Program provides an opportunity for athletes to develop their leadership skills and take courses that will equip them for self-advocacy. Athletes on the Athlete Leadership Team are paired with mentors to help athletes develop their leadership skills and help them with their coursework.

Athlete Leadership Training Courses

Athlete Leadership training courses include:

  • Global Messenger: teaching athletes the skills needed for effective public speaking.
    Working with the Media: develops the skills, techniques, and strategies needed to handle interviews with television, radio and social media.
  • Email, Internet and Search Engines: Introduction to technology—focusing on communicating with peers and other leaders and more efficiently with an emphasis on email, internet and search engines.
  • Athlete Representative: Teaches athletes how to effectively represent their local programs and provide input on their sports programs.

Once trained, athletes can become members of the Athlete Input Council. This council meets once a month to voice their opinions on various issues affecting them as Special Olympics athletes, receive important information from Special Olympics DC staff, and relay information to other athletes. Participating in the Athlete Leadership Program gives athletes the opportunity take part in events like media interviews, becoming a spokesperson, participating in Capitol Hill Day, meeting with corporate sponsors and traveling both the nation and the world to represent Special Olympics DC.

To get your athlete involved please contact Maria-Nelly Johnson at the SODC office.

Phone: 202.408.2640 ext.10
Email: mjohnson@specialolympics.org