The Special Olympics torch has touched down in Abu Dhabi, marking the two-week countdown to the world’s largest humanitarian sports event.
Beneath an overcast sky, the Etihad plane – emblazoned with the faces of the UAE’s Special Olympic athletes – came to a stop at Abu Dhabi International Airport at around 5.15pm.
Members of the Armed Forces lined a blue carpet as a marching band filled the air with the sounds of traditional Emirati music and men performed a yowla – a local dance.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance, and Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, attended the welcoming ceremony which saw the torch, known as the Flame of Hope, carried down from flight EY90 to the sound of trumpets.
It was handed to Sheikh Nahyan and Ms Buhumaid, who were accompanied by Chaica Al Qassimi , an award-winning martial arts athlete who met with Pope Francis last month when he signed a Special Olympics football.
The torch began its journey with a torch-lighting ceremony in Athens on Wednesday.
The baton has passed on to the UAE which, by hosting the biggest games, has pledged to uphold the cause of people with intellectual disabilities.
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The World Games Flame of Hope arrives in Abu Dhabi from Athens, carried by the national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways. All photos are courtesy of Etihad -
Special Olympics Ambassador Chaica Al Qassimi, centre left; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, centre right, lead the procession of the arrival. -
Chaica Al Qassimi and Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak with the World Games Flame of Hope. -
Chaica Al Qassimi with the Guardians of the Flame and the World Games Flame of Hope. Courtesy Etihad -
The flight was flown by Captain Fouad Almarzouqi from the UAE, and Captain Spiridon Nakos from Greece. -
The World Games Flame of Hope arrives in Abu Dhabi. -
The World Games Flame of Hope arrives in Abu Dhabi from Athens.
The torch is seen as symbol of courage and part of a global effort to use sports to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.
By bringing the Games to the Middle East and North Africa region for the first time, the UAE has launched a movement to remove the stigma associated with disabilities.
Khalfan Al Mazrouei, managing director of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi explained the significance behind the torch and the plan for change.
“The Special Olympics Flame of Hope has become a globally-recognized symbol for inclusion, courage and diversity,” he said.
“In two weeks’ time, when the World Games officially begin, we will celebrate determination at sports arenas and playing fields across the UAE.
"It is our hope that these World Games will create real long-term change and a future where every person is valued, accepted, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
The torch is being carried in an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring new livery with images of four Emirati Special Olympics athletes.
It is hoped the arrival of the torch will inspire dialogue, create awareness and open up people’s minds to the talents, capabilities and resilience of people with disabilities.
About 100 of the UAE’s landmarks will comprise a colourful 10-day itinerary beginning March 4 across the Emirates as the torch is carried by athletes and law enforcement officers, dispersing a message of optimism and aiming to unite communities.
The torch bearers are known as ‘guardians of the flame’ and continue a Special Olympics tradition that began in 1981 when law enforcement officers carried the torch after it was lit in Athens.
The torch run will begin from the Wadi Al Wurayah waterfall in Fujairah on Monday.
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The Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece. All photos courtesy Special Olympics World Games -
Special Olympics Hellas athletes transferring the Flame of Hope during the Torch Run through Athens. -
Ambassador Dionyssios Kodellas, President of Special Olympics Hellas addresses attendees at the Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony. -
Iliana Symeonidou, High Priestess and Special Olympics Hellas athlete lighting the cauldron. -
David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe-Eurasia, Michelle Kwan, figure skating champion, Marianna V Vardinogiannis, Unesco Goodwill Ambassador and President of ELPIDA Foundation, and Ambassador Dionyssios Kodellas. -
Michelle Kwan is introduced during the ceremony. -
Iliana Symeonidou, High Priestess and Special Olympics Hellas athlete pictured with Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. -
Priestesses pictured during the ceremony. -
Priestesses pictured during the Flame of Hope Torch Lighting ceremony. -
Torch Run through Athens, Greece which followed the Torch Lighting Ceremony at the Zappeion Palace on 27 February 2019. The flame was welcomed at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Athens and will now be transported to Abu Dhabi by members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics – the Guardians of the Flame – ahead of the Games which kick off on 14 March 2019. Over 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games from 14 to 21 March 2019. -
The ceremony. -
The ceremony. -
Special Olympics volunteers and attendees pictured at the Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony in Athens.
Residents have been encouraged to check the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi website for the locations and participate in special ceremonies that will be organised to bring people together.
UAE Special Olympic athletes will then carry the torch into Zayed Sports City Stadium and light the cauldron to mark the start of the games on March 14.
This will kickstart the opening ceremony that promises to be spectacular, with more than 40,000 spectators packed into Zayed Stadium and millions of viewers worldwide expected to tune into live television broadcasts.
The games have the support of the UAE leadership led by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who has outlined national plans to expand opportunities for people of determination.
Sheikh Mohammed along with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, took part in the first Walk Unified in January last year in Abu Dhabi’s Umm Al Emarat Park to integrate people with intellectual disabilities in community events.
