Meet Allie, Darby, Damion, Leonka and Siobhan — the Athlete Ambassadors for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024. 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.
Allie Price, 29
Allie has competed in Special Olympics for 14 years and has been to three provincial, one national and one world Games.
Hometown: Airdrie, Alberta
Sports: Golf, Cross Fit
What has been your favourite moment as a Special Olympics athlete?
When I got the call for Team Canada 2023.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Earning a silver medal at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
What do you bring to the table as an ambassador in the community?
Lots of positive energy.
What does inclusion in sport mean to you?
I get to play golf with my teammates, friends, family, and my community.
What are you most looking forward to during Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024?
Meeting all the athletes, coaches and volunteers and working with the other ambassadors.
Any other jobs, hobbies, or personal goals you’d like to share?
I have an art card business called Allie Art Cards. I love travelling and learning new languages. My favourite golfer is Brooke Henderson.
Damian Chiodo, 26
Damion has competed in Special Olympics for six years and has been to one provincial and one national competition.
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Sports: Basketball, floor hockey, golf
What has been your favourite moment as a Special Olympics athlete?
Going to Nova Scotia my first year during the National Games and winning silver.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Getting my driver’s license and a black belt in Taekwondo.
What has been your favourite moment as a Special Olympics athlete?
I have a lot of experience interviewing athletes. I am an athlete, so I know how the athletes feel leading up to the Games.
What are you most looking forward to during Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024?
Seeing all the different athletes compete to try to win gold and also have fun.
Any other jobs, hobbies, or personal goals you’d like to share?
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 Taylor, 29
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.
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Sports: Floor hockey, bocce, curling
What has been your favourite moment as a Special Olympics athlete?
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!
What does inclusion in sport mean to you?
That everyone has the right to learn and to play sports. Everyone also has the right to feel welcome and a sense of belonging.
What do you bring to the table as an ambassador in the community?
Knowledge, experience and a great love of Special Olympics and my hometown, Calgary!
What are you most looking forward to during Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024?
Being an Athlete Ambassador! I’m excited to welcome athletes, coaches and volunteers from across Canada.
Any other jobs, hobbies, or personal goals you’d like to share?
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 Kaluha, 39
Leonka has competed in Special Olympics for 21 years! She has competed regionally, provincially, and nationally.
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Sports: Floor hockey, athletics (track & field), bocce
What has been your favourite moment as a Special Olympics athlete?
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.
What achievement are you most proud of?
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.
What do you bring to the table as an ambassador in the community?
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.
What will make these Games a success for the athletes?
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.
Any other jobs, hobbies, or personal goals you’d like to share?
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 Zobatar, 25
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.
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Sports: Rhythmic gymnastics, alpine skiing, soccer, floor hockey
What has been your favourite moment as a Special Olympics athlete?
I scored my first goal in floor hockey at the 2023 Winter Games and tied the game! My team got a bronze medal.
What achievement are you most proud of?
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.
What do you bring to the table as an ambassador in the community?
I am very friendly and have a great smile. I like meeting people and telling them how great Special Olympics and Calgary are.
What are you most looking forward to during Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024?
Meeting people from all over Canada and cheering loud for all the athletes.
Any other jobs, hobbies, or personal goals you’d like to share?
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.
The Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 Athlete Ambassador program is proudly presented by Pembina.