Find Special Olympics Near Me
Find your local region and help make our community a better, healthier, and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.

Pathway for Athlete Leadership

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If we want a more inclusive organization and a more accepting world, Special Olympics athletes must be empowered to contribute in ways beyond the sports field. Athlete Leadership does this by creating meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and demonstrate their abilities in leadership roles—through targeted training in knowledge and skills, hands-on experience in positions of responsibility, and intentional partnerships with leaders without IDD to build truly inclusive environments where athlete leaders are set up to succeed.

Athlete Leadership - Let us Lead

Ways To Get Involved

Athlete Representative

Represent your peers by sharing feedback, advising local programs, and helping guide the direction of Special Olympics Virginia.

Sports Leader

Support teams as a coach or official while building skills, confidence, and leadership through sports.

SOVA Ambassador

Serve as a spokesperson and connector who helps share the mission of Special Olympics Virginia with the community.

Health & Fitness Navigator

Lead by example to promote healthy habits, fitness, and wellness within your program and beyond.

Event Support Staff

Assist behind the scenes to help plan, organize, and run competitions and events across Virginia.
Emily Bower shares updates on upcoming athlete leadership opportunities and pathways for athlete engagement across Virginia.