Special Olympics UAE Celebrates its Athletes’ Outstanding Achievements at Berlin World Games 2023

• Athletes from the UAE team won 73 medals at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin in June 2023
  
  
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 4, 2024:Special Olympics UAE celebrated the team’s outstanding success at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 at a special event held at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center on June 3.The 103 athletes who represented the UAE at the world’s largest sporting event for People of Determination demonstrated exceptional skill, winning 18 gold, 22 silver, and 33 bronze medals –the strongest performance by a MENA country at the Berlin Games.

His Excellency Talal Al Hashimi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, said: “Today, we recall the sense of pride that accompanied every win achieved by our athletes during the Berlin 2023 Games. Their success serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, underscoring our continued momentum and progress. “

Saif Al Falahi, ADNOC Executive Vice President, Group Business Support & Special Tasks, said:“The achievements of the Special Olympics UAE athletes at the Berlin 2023 Games serve as an inspiration to us all and ADNOC is proud to support programs that create a positive and lasting impact on society.”

The UAE delegation to the Berlin 2023 Games, held between June 17-25, was the largest from the MENA region, with 167 members. The delegation, sponsored by ADNOC, consisted of 103 athletes, 72 of whom have intellectual or developmental disabilities, and the rest of whom were unified partners. The athletes were also accompanied by 46 coaches across more than 20 sports.

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About Special Olympics UAE:

In October 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced Special Olympics UAE as an independent organization dedicated to changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Her Highness Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was appointed the Honorary President and Her Excellency Shamma Bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Special Olympics UAE aims to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports while providing leadership opportunities to help them display their talents and integrate them with mainstream society.The organization has launched various community programs focused on families and young athletes. It has also introduced initiatives to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create a more inclusive society.

The Special Olympics of the UAE received international recognition from the International Special Olympics FoundationUSA in December 2017.

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