The Cleveland Cavaliers and Special Olympics International have jointly announced the appointment of Cavaliers player Tristan Thompson as the newest Global Ambassador for Special Olympics. Thompson, a standout NBA champion with the Cavaliers, expressed his excitement and honor in partnering with Special Olympics, citing his personal connection to disabilities through his brother Amari. He aims to leverage his platform and voice to support athletes with intellectual disabilities and promote inclusivity.
Having spent nine seasons with the Cavaliers, Thompson has established himself as a key player in the team’s history, contributing significantly to their NBA Finals appearances and championship victory in 2016. As a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, he plans to utilize his global influence to advocate for inclusion through sport, working closely with local and global Special Olympics entities to promote inclusivity and eliminate stereotypes surrounding disabilities.
Thompson’s appointment adds him to a distinguished list of Special Olympics Global Ambassadors, including current and former NBA and WNBA players such as Devin Booker, Andre Drummond, Damian Lillard, and Elena Delle Donne, among others. To kick off his ambassadorship, Thompson will participate in a series of inclusion-focused events with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Special Olympics France during the NBA Paris Game 2024.
In addition to his ambassadorial role, Thompson and the Cavaliers will engage in a partnership with Special Olympics France to launch the #StrongerTogether project. This initiative aims to bring together Special Olympics athletes and students from local schools to participate in Unified Sports® programming, fostering inclusivity and teamwork among individuals with and without intellectual disabilities.
The appointment of Thompson as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador underscores the ongoing commitment of both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Special Olympics International to promoting inclusivity and creating a more inclusive world through sports. Thompson’s dedication to this cause, combined with his personal experiences and global platform, is expected to make a significant impact in advancing the mission of Special Olympics worldwide.
