Valentino Vergotine

Valentino Henry Vergotine is a Special Olympics athlete from South Africa. He earned two gold medals at the Special Olympics Summer World Games in Greece in 2011, and a gold and silver medal at the Games in China in 2007. He currently serves as both a Board Member of Special Olympics South Africa and a Health Messenger. As a Special Olympics Health Messenger, Valentino educates fellow athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on health and advocates for the right to health for all persons with IDD. In his advocacy, Valentino shares his personal health journey in accessing vital health services to raise awareness of the challenges that people with IDD face in accessing health services. Through his role on the Board, he represents his fellow Special Olympics athletes in decision-making at Special Olympics South Africa. Prior to this role, Valentino held other leadership positions within Special Olympics South Africa, representing athletes with IDD and participating in decision-making at both provincial and national councils. In his spare time, Valentino teaches school students and fellow Special Olympics athletes how to swim at a local club.