Berlin, Germany: The highly anticipated Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 officially began 17th June 2023 at Messe Berlin, also known as Berlin ExpoCenter City. The opening day of the games witnessed the participation of Special Olympics UAE athletes in Rhythmic Gymnastics, one of the 20 sports in which UAE athletes will compete during the event.
The UAE delegation, the largest from the MENA region, consists of 167 individuals, including 72 athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and 31 unified partners. Accompanying them is a dedicated team of technical, medical, and administrative staff, providing comprehensive support throughout the games.
The grand opening ceremony, held at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, featured a remarkable act of unity and inclusion organized by Special Olympics International. Delegations were asked to bring water from their respective homelands. As the delegations entered the ceremony, an athlete poured the water they brought into the Special Olympics River.
Over the course of the games, Special Olympics UAE athletes will be competing in various sports across 17 locations in Berlin. These sports include swimming, badminton, bowling, athletics, beach volleyball (men), volleyball (women), basketball, cycling, equestrian, and powerlifting.
Mr. Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, stated that, “We are ready for the games, especially after the extensive preparations and training camps we held throughout the year. We are delighted to be representing the UAE on a global stage, and spread its message of inclusion, dedication, and tolerance, which is the legacy of the World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.”
Under the theme “The Road to Berlin,” Special Olympics UAE embarked on a comprehensive training journey that commenced in January 2023. The athletes underwent a series of intensive training camps, with three of them held within the UAE. Additionally, the teams had the opportunity to train abroad, such as the Women’s Unified Football Team, who travelled to Japan for a week-long training camp in January 2023.
As the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 unfolds, the UAE athletes are poised to showcase their exceptional skills, determination, and sportsmanship while upholding the values of inclusivity and unity.