Matthew Williams

Special Olympics International Sargent Shriver Global Messenger
Matthew Williams believes that sport has the power to change lives.

Why you should listen

Prior to finding Special Olympics, Matthew Williams struggled to fit in and keep up with his peers. When he joined Special Olympics in eighth grade, it had a profound impact on his life, helping him make friends, providing him with self-confidence and giving him an opportunity to participate in sports. Williams has achieved a great deal in his decade with Special Olympics. He competed in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in basketball, where the first-ever Canadian basketball team to participate in a World Games finished fourth. He has also participated in track and field, swimming, floor hockey and curling.

Williams is a Special Olympics International Sargent Shriver Global Messenger and a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, where he shares athlete perspectives with leaders of this global movement. His goal is to spread the message and vision of Special Olympics far and wide.

Matthew Williams’ TED talk