Jamaican Special Olympics Athlete Takes Leadership Position in Global Sports

Tall and slender, David Duncan, a Special Olympics Jamaica athlete, wears stylish glasses. He speaks quietly but clearly, making sure that whoever is listening understands him. His thoughtful demeanor and strong leadership skills are the main reasons he has found himself the new president of Special Olympics Jamaica. Global Sports Leadership Council (GALC). In this role, he leads athletes from each of the seven regions who provide feedback, guidance and ideas to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Leadership Team.

Special Olympics Guatemala The athlete Daniel Guerra currently holds the position of Vice President.

“Being elected as the new president of GALC means that I now represent not only athletes with intellectual disabilities (Intellectual and developmental disabilities) In my region, North America, but athletes all over Seven regions“I now have to work with my fellow GALC members to raise awareness around the world to create a more inclusive world,” Duncan says of his assigned role. “I will also work with SOI staff, region leaders and with the help of my mentors, to prove to the world that every athlete has the potential to achieve if given the opportunity.”

“David is an incredible athlete leader and we are so excited to have him represent SONA, but he also wants to make sure he can make a much bigger impact if he listens to and shares the voices of athletes from around the world,” said Alyssa Kress, Special Olympics’ Director of Inclusive Leadership Development, of Duncan taking on the role.

Duncan began his Special Olympics career as a volunteer During the Jamaican national games. Whether he planned to become an athlete or not, that single moment would change his life forever.

He found volleyball and over time met Roy Howell and Lorna Bell, leaders within Special Olympics Jamaica program. Once he moved on to compete in the Special Olympics, he developed an enormous sense of pride in his ability to play. Special Olympics Unified SportsThese are teams that bring together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn/SOI

“David is an amazing young man with great potential,” said Roy Howell, Executive Director of Special Olympics Jamaica. “David has made a huge impact in his role both locally and internationally. David’s role has a huge impact on his fellow athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers. We have witnessed his growth and are very proud of his contribution to Special Olympics Jamaica.” Howell also praised Ducan for taking advantage of every opportunity presented to him.

Duncan attributes his personal development outside of sports to Special Olympics. As a person with autism, he has talked about his struggles and how Special Olympics helped him overcome them, especially when he could learn from people who had similar experiences. “I developed leadership qualities because of the courses I took with Special Olympics,” Duncan says.

“David is an amazing person.” Sports leader“We are so excited to have him represent SONA, but he also knows he can make a much bigger impact if he listens to and shares the voices of athletes from all over the world,” says Chris. “All of our regions are so different, and it’s important that we have diverse representation of athletes who live in different places, have different experiences, and have a different perspective on what our athletes need,” continues Chris.

Since becoming a Special Olympics athlete, Duncan has taken advantage of the resources the organization provides, slowly evolving into the leader he is today. He knows his new platform is big and understands the need to advocate not only for himself, but for athletes around the world.