Abu Dhabi 2019 Media COMMUNIQUE

Issue 2 | 18 January 2019

Introduction:

Welcome to the second edition of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019

Media Communiqué.

There are just 55 days to go until the most unified World Games in the history of the Special

Olympics movement kicks off in the UAE on 14 March. With more than 7,500 athletes

competing in 24 sports, it promises to be an unforgettable week for every single athlete,

coach, family member, volunteer, organizer, partner and spectator.

This week’s edition is packed with up-to-date news including the recent Walk Unified event

in Dubai and the latest global leaders and world-famous stars spotted wearing the World

Games wristband, as well as profiling a few of the athletes from around the globe who are

gearing up to compete.

Media Communiques will be issued on a weekly basis in the run-up to the World Games and

we look forward to sharing the latest news and information with you as we count down to the

start of this exciting sports competition and Cultural Olympiad in March.

Contents:

INTRODUCTION

LATEST NEWS

THE YEAR OF TOLERANCE

ATTENDING THE GAMES

MEET THE DETERMINED

STORIES IN 360O

MEDIA FACILITIES

…AND FINALLY

Latest News:

LATEST WALK UNIFIED EVENT HELD IN DUBAI

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for

the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Hundreds of volunteers, athletes and residents came together to walk side by side with

people of determination at Dubai's Al Khawaneej Park in a demonstration of unity and

solidarity.

Walk Unified is a flagship community initiative of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of

the World Games. The event aims to break down barriers between people with and without

intellectual disabilities and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Dubai will stage three of the 24 sports competitions during the World Games, as well as

being involved in the nationwide Host Town program and Law Enforcement Torch Run. The

walk presented a unique opportunity for the city’s visitors and residents to show their support

and learn more about the Special Olympics movement ahead of the World Games.

SPORTS STARS MOHAMED SALAH AND GARY PLAYER CHAMPION SPECIAL

OLYMPICS MOVEMENT

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, with Mohamed

Salah

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah and golfing legend Gary Player are the latest

high-profile figures to show their support by wearing the official Special Olympics World

Games Abu Dhabi 2019 wristbands.

The pair join a growing list of UAE royal family members, celebrities, sportspeople, and

political figures across the globe to wear the wristband ahead of the global event. These

include His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and

Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister,

Imran Khan.

The newly-crowned African Player of the Year was spotted wearing the wristband when he

stopped over in Dubai after being presented the ‘Outstanding Arab Athlete’ award at the 10th

anniversary of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award.

Nine-time major winner, Gary Player, also wore the wristband at the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Open

tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Carly Booth, Scottish professional golfer

Also showing her support to People of Determination at the same event was Scottish golfer,

Carly Booth, proudly showing off her wristband.

The Year of Tolerance:

The UAE Government has declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, adding even more

significance to the World Games. Having earned a reputation as being one of the safest and

most culturally diverse countries, the UAE is keen to show to the world exactly why.

Identified as a flagship event during the Year of Tolerance and a significant platform for

creating positive social change, the World Games will play a key role in spreading this

message globally.

Another significant event to take place this year is Pope Francis’ visit to Abu Dhabi from 3 – 5

February. It will be the first visit by a pontiff in the Middle East and 120,000 people are

expected to attend a mass, emphasizing the importance of inter-faith relations with the

Vatican.

Attending the Games:

DIVISIONING EXPLAINED

One of the fundamental differences between Special Olympics competitions and those of

other sports organizations is that athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate,

and every athlete is recognized for his or her performance. Athletes are divided into

competitions that place them against people of similar abilities – a process that is known as

‘divisioning’.

Divisioning allows all athletes participating in any Special Olympics Games the opportunity to

compete on an equal playing field. It is a fundamental rule, which matches athletes up with

others of the same gender, around the same age, and most importantly of the same

competitive ability.

This type of competition-level matching makes Special Olympics events even more exciting

and meaningful for both athletes and spectators by ensuring competitions are fair and

empowering.

How it works:

• Before each competition, a time, score or skill assessment is submitted for each athlete

or team. For judged or other events that are not timed or measured — such as football,

gymnastics and badminton — there is a series of short games between athletes or

teams. There can also be an assessment of each athlete or team’s ability by a

committee.

• The divisions are then set up based on the information on each athlete’s skill level so

that each set of competitors is closely matched.

• Each division should include a minimum of 3 athletes or teams and a maximum of 8

athletes or teams.

• There should be no more than a 15 per cent difference between the most highly skilled

athlete or team – and the lowest skilled athlete or team in each division.

Divisioning schedule at World Games Abu Dhabi 2019:

12 + 13 March

13 March

15 March

15 + 16 March

17 + 18 March

Meet the Determined

‘Meet the Determined’ is our message to the world, inviting audiences to attend or watch the

Games, whilst celebrating the courage and talent of Special Olympics athletes.

The campaign highlights the extraordinary talent of participating Special Olympics

athletes. The athletes participating in the campaign will give a voice to People of

Determination in the UAE and around the world.

‘Meet the Determined’ celebrates the abilities of People of Determination and aims to

change perceptions of intellectual disabilities by highlighting the stories of courage and

determination of Special Olympics athletes.

#MeetTheDetermined

SARA FELEMBAN, SPECIAL OLYMPICS SAUDI ARABIA, BOCCE TEAM

Sara is one of 14 female athletes who will be competing in the upcoming World Games for

Saudi Arabia. The 17-year-old will participate in Bocce, a sport she only recently picked up.

Sara, who was born with Down syndrome, graduated from the Jeddah Help Center as part of

its early intervention program. She was top of her class and has already won many medals

in bowling, swimming and track events.

The teenager lives in Jeddah with her parents and sisters, whom she describes as her best

friends. She is very excited to travel to the UAE for the World Games.

Sara describes her relationship with sports as being like the close friendship and bond she

shares with her sister, Lara. “Bocce and bowling are sisters,” says Sara. “Bocce and bowling

are like Sara and Lara, they are very close to each other.”

AQUILES HEREDIA, SPECIAL OLYMPICS VENEZUELA, AQUATICS TEAM

Aquiles is an accomplished, motivated athlete who, despite being born with cerebral palsy,

has grown to be a powerful swimmer. Aquiles’ disability affects his lower limbs and torso and

he uses a wheelchair to get around.

He uses his strong arms to help him float and to reach peak performance in the pool. The

talkative and friendly 34-year-old has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2001 and loves

telling people about his swimming.

"I have been able to show the world that, although I have a physical and intellectual

disability, there are no barriers,” said Aquiles, adding: “The sky is the limit!"

RUAUMOKO PUKEPUKE, SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW ZEALAND, BASKETBALL TEAM

The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will be Ruaumoko’s first-ever World

Games, and the 22-year-old hopes to do his family - and everyone in his rural hometown on

New Zealand's North Island - proud.

His love of basketball comes from his mum, Lorraine, who is New Zealand’s Special

Olympics basketball coach. The Special Olympics is a real family affair for Ruaumoko, who

is of Maori heritage, as his two cousins, Tuau and Hinewai, are also involved in local teams.

Ruaumoko has been gaining in skills and confidence ever since he first stepped onto a

basketball court. When he's not training, he works at a program for younger children with

special needs in New Zealand.

Stories in 360O

Digital storytelling studio, CreatorUp, an official partner of World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, is

producing story-driven immersive content that provides audiences across the globe with the

chance to “Meet the Determined” in a truly unique and unprecedented manner.

VR content created by CreatorUp will provide the community behind Special Olympics with

the technology and creative resources to share their stories and create a living, breathing

and vibrant legacy.

Watch their first ‘behind the scenes’ film now and check back for updates as the team visits

the UK, USA, China, India, and more destinations on the road to the Games!

Stay tuned for three 360° films looking at the build up to the first ever Games to be held in

the Middle East that will be published on World Games Abu Dhabi 2019’s YouTube and

Facebook platforms in the coming 50 days:

• “Meet the Determined: 50 Years of Special Olympics”

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt.” - Special Olympics Athlete

Oath

The Special Olympics organization is a global phenomenon that is in operation 365 days a

year. When Eunice Kennedy Shriver started the organization, it was because she saw the

potential of the power of sport to be a catalyst for change. Since then, the organization has

endeavored to realize that dream and has impacted millions of lives around the world. We

will tell the story of the people who are currently championing the efforts of Special Olympics

and what drives them to dedicate their lives to this cause. What has been the global impact

of the Special Olympics movement? And how can people get involved?

• “Meet the Determined: UAE Now”

Abu Dhabi has spent years preparing to host Special Olympics World Games. The entire

city, and the country, has established itself not only as a leader in the region but on a global

scale. A vibrant economy, a cosmopolitan population, and a future-oriented culture have

created an unequalled candidate to host the Games. Discover Abu Dhabi in all its

authenticity. How has the government taken a leadership role in providing resources for

People of Determination? What can people expect when they attend the Games? What are

the incredible cultural and entertainment activities available to competitors and fans alike?

• “Meet the Determined: Athletes at Home”

CreatorUp we will travel to cities around the world to tell the stories of athletes, their families

and the community programs built around intellectual disabilities and the Special Olympics

events that are happening 365 days a year. How have these impacted their lives? Who has

been their inspiration? What makes them so determined? What can we all learn from this?

Media Facilities

Main Media Centre

The Main Media Centre (MMC) for the World Games will be located at ADNEC, the venue

where 11 sports are taking place. Facilities and services for credentialed media include:

Media Work Room with 80 positions, WIFI and power, a help desk for general

inquiries, printer, results & schedules.

Operating hours:

o March 10-14, 21 – 09:00-18:00

o March 15-20 – 07:00-23:00

Media Credentialing Office for credential pick-up, distribution of bibs, VAPPs

(Vehicle Access Parking Permit), and Opening & Closing Ceremony tickets.

Operating hours:

o March 10-14, 21 – 09:00-18:00

o March 15-20 – 08:00-20:00

Media Lounge with complimentary tea & coffee, water, Coca-Cola products, snacks,

and hot finger foods during competition and divisioning days.

Press Conference room including camera platform, English-Arabic interpretation

Parking

There are a limited number of complimentary parking spaces dedicated for media. Please

contact mediacreds@abudhabi2019.org to apply for a free VAPP, valid for all venues.

Stay Connected with Etisalat

International media credentialed with Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 are

eligible to receive a free SIM card and preferred mobile rates through our Official Partner

Etisalat. With the free SIM card, media may purchase a 14-day combo pack for just 75 AED.

The Special Olympics promo offer also entitles you to a free Careem ride with 100 AED and

several other offers. International media may avail themselves of this offer beginning March

12 at ADNEC when presenting their Special Olympics media credential and passport. The

offer is subject to availability.

…And Finally

Another global sporting event kicked off this week – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a

European Tour golf tournament, is being held from 16 – 19 January at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

and features the greatest champions in the world.

Members of the Special Olympics UAE golf team will have the opportunity to learn from

some of golf’s biggest players at a special clinic organized alongside the tournament.

The UAE has become a sports hub for major global sporting events in recent years,

including the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix –

both held in the last two months.

The hosting of the World Games is the next step in showcasing the UAE’s capabilities in

hosting large-scale events, as it becomes the first host nation of a World Games in the

Middle East.