Team Values in Action: Integrity

Trading pins from any of the nearly 200 global delegations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the most sought after social currency at World Games. Fortunately one need not speak a multitude of foreign languages to partake in the daily trade. In fact, you may not even need pins based on the exchanges that took place in the stands of Dubai Police Officer’s Club Stadium this morning.

Miranda Mendoza was a fine ambassador of the USA today. Her one-way pin trades with athletes and coaches from African countries including Kenya, South Sudan, Senegal and Ivory Coast conveyed our team value of Integrity—the state of being whole and undivided. She didn’t care about receiving a trading pin in exchange when asked for an American one. She simply wanted to give a high five, a smile and make a new friend.

The world needs more Mirandas. #MeetTheDetermined #Cheer4USA

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Back Home Special Olympics USA families traveled thousands of miles to cheer for USA. Tennis athlete Heidi Sand’s family happened to be in the neighborhood. In 1955, Heidi’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Germany. From her mother, Jacque Martin, and her grandmother, Sabina Jurchen, Heidi learned the culture. An ocean away, they remained in contact with their extended family, sharing life updates via Facebook. The last time Heidi saw her family from Germany, she was 4 years old. Thirty-three years later, they watched her win gold at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
Smooth Sailing Special Olympics USA Unified sailing partner Bobby Westlake carpooled to elementary school with a family friend and their daughter, his classmate. Decades later, he would compete with that classmate’s son in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. Athlete Tyler Dodson and his Unified partner Bobby began sailing together in January. Prior to training as a team, they chartered their respective courses.
647 The Phoenix Police Department radio code for a suspicious person or activity is 647. It’s a call for backup. Head Special Olympics USA 3x3 Unified basketball coach Mary Roberts and assistant coach Mandy Faust have a combined 55 years of experience with the Phoenix Police Department and have used that code many a time. Now retired, the two have introduced the code to their team.