Jodi Flanagan

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been involved with Special Olympics for 35 years.

How were you first introduced to the movement and what got you hooked?

I worked with swimmers with intellectual disabilities while in university as well as a practicum at an adapted kindergarten and I really enjoyed it. I was a figure skating coach and someone mentioned to me that Special Olympics was looking for figure skating coaches so I instantly made the call and never looked back.

How has being involved with Special Olympics impacted your life?

Very positively. Being with the athletes enables one to keep perspective; when to push, when to let something go, what is truly important. Most of all it impacts my ability to believe what is possible. I like being around truly genuine people and that is what you get most in Special O.

What is your favourite part about your role on the team?

It’s important to me as a mission staff that I can be helpful. I like to support the coaches and enable them time to focus on their immediate tasks. But, I also love time with the athletes and getting to know them personally.

What is your proudest moment with Special Olympics?

I have many, but the moments when you know you've created a 'feeling' and everyone can buy into the vision because they feel like they are part of it. I love hearing teammates chanting the Cheer (Team Canada 2023) or holding their hand in the Wolfpack sign (Team AB 2020 / 2024).

What does being a part of Special Olympics Team Canada mean to you and what is your goal for Turin?

It means that my contributions to the organization are valued and that I've done something worthy of the honour of representing my country.  It means I get to support the athletes at the peak of their competitions and have a hand in their success.  My goal is to ensure the Alpine team (and others if needed) have a successful, logistical easy experience where they can stay focused on their competition and opportunity.

What unique skills or experiences do you bring to your role as a coach, mission staff or team leadership and what drives you to support and inspire the athletes every day?

I've experienced all the volunteer roles from coach to Mission Staff to Team Leadership to event organizer and more.  I think the perspective I bring allows me to anticipate what everyone needs and when. It allows me to give some grace to the organizers when things aren't running perfectly but also tells me when to push if the athletes are being negatively impacted. What drives me is high expectations of what is possible.

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering with Special Olympics?

If you have time to give and allow yourself to experience the true purpose of contributing you will be rewarded with cheers and tears and memories and lifelong connections while truly making a positive impact to individuals at the same time as the greater good.