Angus Leckonby, a swimmer, marathon runner and triathlete from Driffield, was one of four athletes who starred in Coca-Cola and Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) ‘We Can’ campaign.

The new campaign, which is part of Coca-Cola’s role as a Headline Partner of the Games, highlights ‘extraordinary sporting journeys and the power of opportunity, inclusion and community sport’.

On Leckonby’s journey and the ‘We Can’ campaign, the General Manager of Coca-Cola GB, Dusan Stojankic said: “Angus's journey shows what's possible when determination meets opportunity. From breaking Guinness World Records to inspiring others to challenge themselves, he's demonstrating exactly why athletes with intellectual disabilities deserve to be recognised as role models. We're proud to work alongside Special Olympics GB to help bring stories like Angus's to a wider audience."

The National Summer Games will culminate in a multi-sport event in Birmingham this week, with more than 1,200 athletes from across England, Scotland and Wales expected to compete.

For many athletes such as Leckonby, who holds the Guinness World Record for being the ‘youngest and fastest male athlete with an intellectual disability (II1) to complete a marathon’, the Games will act as a ‘stepping stone towards selection for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile’.

On his achievements and what he hopes people take from the ‘We Can’ campaign, three-time Guinness World Records holder Leckonby said: “People sometimes underestimate what athletes with an intellectual disability can achieve - but I want to show that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and work hard. I hope my journey inspires others to give sport a go and have the confidence to chase their dreams."

The We Can campaign from Coca-Cola, which has been a founding global partner of Special Olympics since 1968, champions Special Olympics GB’s ‘mission to use sport as a vehicle that ensures people with an intellectual disability are seen, valued and taken seriously’.

Alongside Leckonby, Alex Rae, Taylor Mackenzie and Ellie-Bea Thomas have also been featured in the new campaign films which have been shown on ‘Out of Home screens provided by Ocean Outdoor across Birmingham in the run-up to the Games’.

On Leckonby’s story and the campaign ahead of the Games, the Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, Laura Baxter MBE said: “Angus embodies everything Special Olympics GB stands for. His determination to keep challenging himself, combined with his willingness to inspire others, shows the transformative power of sport. By sharing stories like his through our partnership with Coca-Cola, we're helping more people see athletes with intellectual disabilities for who they are - talented competitors, role models and ambassadors for inclusion.”

The Special Olympics GB National Summer Games began with a cycling event in Bradford (3-4 May) with events taking place in badminton, table tennis, indoor bowls, golf, tennis, equestrian and basketball ahead of the National Summer Games this week in Birmingham (27-30 August).