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Special Olympics Ambassadors

As icons of success from diverse industries such as sports, music, entertainment, media, and beyond, Special Olympics Global Ambassadors generously lend their time, talent, and resources to support the Special Olympics mission. They are inspirational role models who share a belief in the power to come together, break down barriers, and foster a world of inclusion while supporting Special Olympics’ expansion of sports, health, youth, and education programs.

Global Ambassadors

Our Global Ambassador appointees advocate for Special Olympics worldwide across all programmatic areas while maintaining a dedicated interest in at least one area of focus in health, youth, education and sport during a minimum two-year term.
Alia Atkinson, Special Olympics

Alia Atkinson


Olympic Swimmer, Commander of the Order of Distinction
Andre Drummond in a red Special Olympics Play Unified t-shirt.

Andre Drummond


NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Chicago Bulls
Apolo Anton Ohno, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Apolo Anton Ohno


Olympic Medalist (Speedskating)
Avril Lavigne, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Avril Lavigne


Musician & Philanthropist
Robert "Bob" Beamon, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Robert "Bob" Beamon


Olympic Champion, Long Jump
Chris Nikic, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Chris Nikic


Special Olympics Triathlete/Motivational Speaker
Dale Moss, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Dale Moss


Former National Football League Player
Dalton Risner, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Dalton Risner


NFL Player, Denver Broncos, Offensive Guard
Damian Lillard, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Damian Lillard


NBA All Star, Portland Trailblazers
Devin Booker in his Phoenix Suns jersey.

Devin Booker


NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns
Didier Drogba, Special Olympics Board of Directors Member

Didier Drogba


Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player
Dikembe Mutombo, Special Olympics Board of Directors and Global Ambassador

Dikembe Mutombo


Hall of Fame NBA Player
Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar

Drew McIntyre


WWE Superstar, (World Wrestling Entertainment) WWE
Eddie Barbanell, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Eddie Barbanell


Actor & Comedian
Eddie Yarbrough, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Eddie Yarbrough


NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive End

Elena Delle Donne


WNBA Player, Washington Mystics
Emma Broyles Miss America 2022

Emma Broyles


Miss America 2022
Erika Ender, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Erika Ender


Singer/Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer and Actress
Gaby Dabrowski, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Gabriela (Gaby) Dabrowski


Professional Tennis Player, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
Gleyber Torres, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Gleyber Torres


2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop
Hannah Teter, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Hannah Teter


Olympic Champion, Snowboarder
Hidetoshi Nakata, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Hidetoshi Nakata


Former Professional Footballer, ACCA Inc
Hussein Fahmy, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Hussein Fahmy


Egyptian Actor
Ibtihaj Muhammad, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Ibtihaj Muhammad


Olympic Champion, Fencing
In-Kyung Kim, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

In-Kyung Kim


Professional Golfer
Jamaal Charles, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Jamaal Charles


Former Football Player at National Football League (NFL) & All Pro Runningback
Joe Haden, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Joe Haden


Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back
John C. McGinley, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

John C. McGinley


Actor & Advocate
Julen Lopetegui, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Julen Lopetegui


Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla
Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt, Special Olympics Champion Ambassadors

Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt


New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer
Lauren Potter, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Lauren Potter


Actor & Advocate
Li Na, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Li Na


Former Professional Tennis Player, two time grand slam champion, The first Chinese member of the ITHF
Lily D Moore Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Lily D Moore


Actress and Model
Mack Hollins, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Mack Hollins


NFL Player, Las Vegas Raiders, Wide Receiver
Maureen McCormick, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Maureen McCormick


Actress, Designer, Singer, NY Times Bestselling Author
Michael Phelps, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Michael Phelps


Olympic Champion, Swimming
Michelle Kwan, Special Olympics Treasurer and Global Ambassador

Michelle Kwan


Olympic Medalist, Figure Skating
Montell Jordan, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Montell Jordan


International Recording Artist/Pastor
Nadia Comaneci, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Nadia Comaneci


Olympic Champion, Gymnastics, Perfect 10 Production, Inc., Special Olympics Global Ambassador
Nicole Scherzinger, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Nicole Scherzinger


International Recording Artist & Television Personality
Nigel Barker, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador, CEO, Studio NB Inc., Fashion Photographer, Author, and TV Personality

Nigel Barker


Fashion Photographer, TV Personality, Producer/Filmmaker
Padraig Harrington, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Padraig Harrington


Professional Golfer
Big Show (Paul Donald Wight II), Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Paul Wight


Six-Time WWE World Champion
Ricky Rubio, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Ricky Rubio


NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers
Sam Perkins, Special Olympics Global Ambassador and Nyasha Derera Chair, Global Athlete Congress; Special Olympics Athlete, Zimbabwe; Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger

Sam Perkins


Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend
Seun Adigun, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Dr. Seun Adigun


Summer & Winter Olympian, Hurdles & Bobsledding
Vanessa Williams, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Vanessa Williams


Singer & Broadway Performer
Victoria Arlen, Special Olympics Champion Ambassador

Victoria Arlen


ESPN SportsCenter Host
Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic, Special Olympics Ambassador

Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic


Olympic Medalist, Volleyball
Willson Contreras - St. Louis Cardinals

Willson Contreras


2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher
Yang Lan, Special Olympics Board of Directors and Global Ambassador

Yang Lan


Media Entrepreneur, Journalist, Talk Show Host, Special Olympics Board Member
Yang Yang, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Yang Yang


Olympic Champion, Speed Skating
Yao Ming, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Yao Ming


NBA All Star & Chairman of the International Basketball Federation Asia (FIBA)
Zhou Guanyu, Special Olympics Global Ambassador and Formula 1 Driver (Alfa Romeo F1 Team)

Zhou Guanyu


Formula 1 Driver (Alfa Romeo F1 Team)
Zhou Xun, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Zhou Xun


Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist
Zou Shimming, Special Olympics Global Ambassador

Zou Shiming


Olympic Champion, Boxing

Alumni Ambassadors

Our Alumni Ambassadors are former Ambassadors who graciously dedicated their time and talent to support our Special Olympics family. They continue to be allies of the movement and have established a legacy of goodwill around our worldwide mission of inclusion for which we are eternally grateful.

Benedetto Saraceno

Health Expert & Advocate

Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco

Olympian & World Champion Swimmer

Cafu (Marcos Evangelista de Morais)

Legendary Professional Soccer Player

Gracie Hunt

Inclusion activist, Unified Partner and Philanthropist

Scott Hamilton

Olympic Champion, Figure Skating

Yuna Kim

Olympic Champion, Figure Skating