SOCWG by the numbers
Global Messengers are Special Olympics athletes who help spread the message and vision of the movement as well as the benefits they have gained by participating in Special Olympics.
- ATHLETES, COACHES, MANAGERS AND MISSION STAFF
- 1,250
- TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
- 60
- FAMILY AND FRIENDS
- 2,500
- EVENTS
- 8
- VOLUNTEERS
- 1,500
- VENUES
- 7
Meet the dedicated teams working behind the scenes to make the Games a success
Athlete Ambassadors
Meet Allie, Darby, Damion, Leonka and Siobhan — our Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 athlete ambassadors. You'll see this terrific group of athletes out in the community as they attend and speak at events, interview other athletes and support partnerships in the lead up to the Games.
Our athlete ambassador program is proudly presented by Pembina.
Below you'll get to know the athletes as they share some of their personal interests, history with Special Olympics and what they hope to achieve as ambassadors.
Allie, 29
HomeTown : Airdrie, Alberta
Sports : Golf, crossfit
Allie has competed in Special Olympics for 14 years and has been to three provincial, one national and one world Games.
When I got the call for Team Canada 2023.
Earning a silver medal at the world Games in Berlin.
Lots of positive energy.
I get to play golf with my teammates, friends, family, and my community.
Meeting all the athletes, coaches and volunteers and working with the other ambassadors.
I have an art card business called Allie Art Cards. I love travelling and learning new languages. My favourite golfer is Brooke Henderson.
Damian, 26
HomeTown : Calgary, Alberta
Sports : Basketball, floor hockey, golf
Damion has competed in Special Olympics for six years and has been to one provincial and one national competition.
Going to Nova Scotia my first year during the national Games and winning silver.
Getting my driver’s license and a black belt in Taekwondo.
I have a lot of experience interviewing athletes. I am an athlete, so I know how the athletes feel leading up to the Games.
Seeing all the different athletes compete to try to win gold and also have fun.
I am currently working at Country Hills Golf Course and for the Calgary Flames in customer service. I train in Taekwondo as a black belt and volunteer at the YMCA and the Calgary Zoo.
Darby, 29
HomeTown : Calgary, Alberta
Sports : Floor hockey, bocce, curling
Darby has competed in Special Olympics for almost 17 years. He has been to one national Games and six provincial Games — five times as an athlete and once as an equipment manager.
Being selected to be part of Team Alberta and going to Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, in 2018, where I won a silver medal in bocce!
That everyone has the right to learn and to play sports. Everyone also has the right to feel welcome and a sense of belonging.
Knowledge, experience and a great love of Special Olympics and my hometown, Calgary!
Being an athlete ambassador! I’m excited to welcome athletes, coaches, and volunteers from across Canada.
I have two great part-time jobs: Lil E Coffee Café and the Scotiabank Saddledome. I also volunteer at the Calgary Zoo, where I get to work alongside my favourite animal in the world: a tapir! I love watching professional sports and travelling — I’ve been to almost 40 countries so far. My goal was to one day be an athlete ambassador for Special Olympics. True story!
Leonka, 39
HomeTown : Calgary, Alberta
Sports : Floor hockey, athletics (track & field), bocce
Leonka has competed in Special Olympics for 21 years! She has competed regionally, provincially, and nationally.
Being able to achieve my personal bests at nationals. I was also asked to design the cauldron for the 2019 provincial Games and then got to stand beside it during the opening ceremony as it was lit.
Through participating in sports, I was able to find my voice, use it and know it is okay to have a disability and be myself.
I am proud to be a Special Olympics athlete and want to share my experiences of the positive impact Special Olympics has had on my life.
The athletes need to feel welcomed, safe and that their voices are heard. They also need to have fun and be given the support they need to achieve their personal bests.
I work part time at Sobeys. I love to do crafts, make art and be creative. I also like being active and exploring new things. My personal goal is to continue in my sports and someday go to worlds.
Siobhan, 25
HomeTown : Calgary, Alberta
Sports : Rhythmic gymnastics, alpine skiing, soccer, floor hockey
Siobhan has competed in Special Olympics for 10 years. She has been to two summer provincial Games, three winter provincial Games and one national winter Games.
I scored my first goal in floor hockey at the 2023 winter Games and tied the game! My team got a bronze medal.
My gold medal for alpine skiing at the national Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. I’m also proud of my bronze medal for floor hockey at the 2023 provincial winter Games.
I am very friendly and have a great smile. I like meeting people and telling them how great Special Olympics and Calgary are.
Meeting people from all over Canada and cheering loud for all the athletes.
I graduated from the University of Calgary after five years in the Inclusive Post-secondary Education Program. I have two jobs and work at Old Navy and Safeway. I like hanging out with my friends and family and going to movies, dinner, and dancing. I also like biking, skating, swimming, skiing, and travelling.
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