As Gilmour Borg and his fellow 9 new Sargent Shriver World Messengers participate in per week of coaching in Washington, DC, we take the chance to get to know Gilmour a little bit higher with a one-to-one interview.
In January 2024, it was introduced that Gilmour Borg, from Particular Olympics Malta, was to turn out to be one in all 10 Sargent Shriver World Messengers (SSGMs) for the interval 2024 to 2027. He joins Margaret Turley from Particular Olympics Eire as one in all two messengers representing the Europe Eurasia area. SSGM is a prestigious and coveted spokesperson function which can see Gilmour, Margaret and the eight different messengers representing the Particular Olympics motion and their fellow athletes to the world. Earlier than Gilmour took off for the USA, he took the time to reply some questions on his journey to date and his hopes for this new function and journey!
How did you uncover the thrilling information that you simply had been one of many new SSGMs?
The information got here as a whole shock throughout one in all our conferences with the Particular Olympics Malta Athlete Management Committee, an annual assembly the place we come collectively to tell fellow athletes and households about our 12 months’s accomplishments.
In the course of the occasion, an announcement was made by Tim Shriver, and to my astonishment, I understood that I used to be one of many chosen people! The realisation that I might be serving as a Sargent Shriver World Messenger introduced rush of pleasure for the journey forward. It was really an unforgettable second that I’ll cherish.
What a part of the function of SSGM are you most trying ahead to?
I’m trying ahead for the chance to attach with individuals from completely different backgrounds from all all over the world. I’m trying ahead to sharing my private expertise and spreading consciousness about inclusion. I wish to actively promote inclusion and put it into motion… Making inclusion a tangible actuality slightly than only a idea is certainly a rewarding facet of any function. We have to apply and incorporate these rules into our on a regular basis work life.
It’s now ten years because you joined Particular Olympics Malta, how has Particular Olympics impacted your life?
Becoming a member of Particular Olympics was the start of a brand new journey in my life which introduced new hope and opened new doorways for me.
Particular Olympics remodeled my life—from feeling remoted and bullied, to discovering a supportive group the place I used to be revered, included, and heard. This has additionally been a journey of progress for me.
Particular Olympics offered me with a way of belonging and goal, serving to me overcome my challenges and uncover my strengths. I gained confidence, self-awareness, and resilience. I used to be in a position to face setbacks with braveness and willpower.
Picture by S Byrne
What was your best second in Particular Olympics to date?
That’s a really robust query as a result of Particular Olympics has given me so many alternatives.
I had many exceptional moments with the ability to compete and profitable medals, displaying my skills, and being an advocate for Particular Olympics that are at all times a spotlight of my journey.
However being invited to ship a speech at prestigious occasions—such because the Golisano Award Ceremony held in New York in 2022 and the European Union’s convention on World Psychological Well being held in Brussels in 2023—stand over as the best moments for me.
You have got spoken earlier than about how bullying affected you once you had been youthful, what would your message be to any younger one that is at the moment affected by bullying?
I do know the ache. I do know the sensation of being focused, and ridiculed. I understand how it feels to really feel nugatory. I do know the sensation and sense that the world is towards you. I’ve walked in these sneakers and perceive the sensation.
To those that are at the moment going through bullying, I need you to know that you’re not alone, and you might be worthy of respect and kindness. You might be sturdy and able to rising above this cruelty.
Bullying is rarely okay—you might be value rather more than these bullies. There’s hope. There are individuals who wish to enable you, look after you, and help you thru this. Don’t undergo in silence.
Bullying might be extremely painful and have hasting impact by your life. Please attain out for help. Speak to somebody you belief. You need to be heard, understood, and supported.
Keep in mind bullying isn’t your fault. Nobody deserves this. You deserve love and respect. Imagine in your self and know that brighter days lie forward.
You might be President of SO Malta Athlete Management Council, a Well being Messenger and an SSGM, do you get pleasure from being busy and taking over new challenges?
All these roles have been constructed within the final 5 years and I may see some adjustments in selling inclusion, empowerment, and acceptance—however I can not cease right here. There’s nonetheless extra work that must be carried out. There’s at all times extra that may be achieved, whether or not it’s for higher sources or public consciousness. I’m dedicated to proceed this essential journey and taking new challenges in the direction of a significant and efficient change.
Do you’ve got any function fashions?
For me the function fashions in my life are all of the individuals who made an affect in my life, who believed in me and made me the Gilmour you see as we speak—my household, Anna Calleja (Particular Olympics Malta Nationwide Director).
