Athlete preaches bravery as Flame of Hope arrives in Ajman
A Special Olympics World Games athlete vowed to be brave in his bid for victory as the Flame of Hope torch tour stopped off in Ajman on its journey around the Emirates.
Zechariah Tietz, who is representing the United States at the Games, was one of the runners carrying the Olympic torch through the emirate before the start of the competition in Abu Dhabi next Thursday.
He offered words of motivation, echoed by his fellow torchbearers, as crowds assembled to welcome the flame.
The runners set off from the Ajman flagpole at 9am on Thursday, arriving in Al Zorah district 90 minutes later, where they were greeted by a Palestinian band playing traditional dabke music.
Crowds cheered as the athlete spoke about his desire to do his country proud.
“The most famous words that most definitely define me and define the rest of the athletes and that I hold near and dear to my heart are: ‘let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt,’” Tietz said, a reference to the Games motto.
Juwaidan Sayyed, an activities co-ordinator at Ajman Private School, attended the ceremony.
She said she made sure pupils at her school were aware of the significance of the Games being held in the region.
“It was my main goal that they know what they are going to see and how important it is not to look differently at people with determination and to treat them like who they are: equals,” Ms Sayyed said.
After the torch was lit, the ceremony turned into a celebration of unity.
Members of the public attending the event joined hands with the runners as they danced to the Palestinian music.
The leader of the band was delighted with the response to their performance.
“I didn’t expect that I would be moved and encouraged to support such an event before now and even spread the word around,” Zyad Iskandarani said.
The torch runners, known as the Guardians of the Flame, then toured attractions such as Ajman Castle, Ajman Corniche and Ajman Museum, building up to the final ceremony at Ajman Marina.
Before reaching its final destination at the opening ceremony of the Games in Abu Dhabi next Thursday, the Flame of Hope will be taken to Sharjah on Friday, where it will be carried to attractions such as Sharjah Heritage Museum, Al Noor Island, Al Majaz waterfront and Flag Island. More than 7,500 athletes will compete at the Games, representing 192 countries, and this event will be the biggest in its 51-year history.