Abu Dhabi puts spotlight on inclusivity, unity and respect
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan officially announced the start of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games at a marvelous opening ceremony on Thursday.
After the countdown — witnessed by a capacity crowd of 55,000 at Zayed Sports City stadium — a children’s choir heralded the arrival of thousands of international athletes, dancing and waving with great pride and joy.
“You have won the most important race already. You have already changed history and the face of sport,” Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver of the United States told the athletes.
Later, the crowd took a moment to remember Shriver’s mother and Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 10 years after her death and five decades since the Games debuted.
An artificial sun rose from the top of the stadium, carrying the flame of hope as athletes from seven continents circled the stadium with torches held high.
They gathered around a cauldron and lit the Special Olympics flame.
For the first time there are 200 delegations taking part, with 195 competing and five observing.
Held in the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, the Special Olympics World Games attach great importance to the values of inclusivity, unity and respect. More than 2,500 female athletes, the largest number ever, are taking part in the competition, including the first female contingent ever sent by Saudi Arabia.
Over 20,000 registered volunteers are on hand to assist people in need, making it the largest volunteer program ever in the Middle East and North Africa. The nine world-class venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will accommodate 500,000 spectators.
First held in 1968 in Chicago, the Special Olympics World Games now alternate between summer and winter showcases every two years. Approximately 7,500 athletes, over 3,000 coaches and 1,500 referees are taking part in the 24 sports at the first Special Olympics World Games to be held in the Middle East.
This edition marks the ninth time China has sent a delegation to the summer Special Olympics World Games, with 104 athletes taking part in 10 sports including athletics, swimming and soccer.
The Games also feature a range of non-sports initiatives such as Healthy Athletes, an Inclusive Art Exhibition, Live Unified activities, the Stand Up for Inclusion concert and the Global Youth Leadership Summit.