Meet the Determined, Meet Khadija Sy

We celebrate our most inclusive games in Special Olympics history by profiling global athletes competing in the Abu Dhabi World Games in March. Watch their incredible stories and cheer them on!

Khadija is a role model, health volunteer and public speaker from Senegal. She’s also a Special Olympics athlete who has competed in both the 2011 World Games in Athens and the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

Khadija Sy

She’s all about improving on her personal best! Khadija won a bronze medal in athletics in Athens; she won silver in Los Angeles. For months now, she’s been training hard to earn a gold medal at the upcoming 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi.

Khadija has been with Special Olympics since 2004. She’s also deeply involved in the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program and the Family Forum, and is a member of the Athlete Input Council.

Khadija’s mother, Rajah Sy, is the volunteer National Director of Special Olympics Senegal who grew the Program from 6 athletes to over 3,000. Through Rajah’s leadership, Special Olympics Senegal staff and athletes have emerged as leaders of sport, health, and employment best practices. Her partnerships with local business owners, government officials, and healthcare professionals have opened up opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to help create a more inclusive world. Follow Rajah as she changes the game for inclusion in Senegal!

When she’s not on the track, Khadija is always interested in learning something new. Her latest interest involves learning more about hairdressing and cosmetology — and she has become an expert. She is especially skilled in brushing, braids and buns.

Khadija says Special Olympics is like her “second family.”

At Special Olympics, we are proud of how Khadija has done to show the world what people with intellectual disabilities can do — when given the opportunity. She is a leader in The Revolution Is Inclusion.

Cheer for her!

Rajah Diouri Sy