Flame for Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Cup 2019 lit at Zappeion

The Flame of Hope Ceremony is a special day for the Summer Special Olympics as it marks the countdown for the official opening of the Abu Dhabi celebration on 14 March, celebrating the acceptance of diversity, participation, and strength of the will of the Special Olympics athletes.

The ceremony took place at 11:30 at the Zappeion Megaron and will follow a torch which will pass through historical and cultural monuments of Athens to be delivered to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, where it will remain until tomorrow Thursday, February 28, so it will depart from El. Venizelos, flying Etihad Airways.

The ceremony was attended by the State and Political Leaders of Grece, Ambassadors, representatives of the Cultural, Sports, and Social sectors, members of the ILO and EOE, the President and Members of the Special Olympics World Youth Organization Abu Dhabi 2019, as well as officials from all over the world.

UAE hosts Special Olympics during "Year of Tolerance"

On 15 December 2018, H. H.Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. The announcement aims to highlight the UAE as a global capital for tolerance and its approach, since its establishment, to be a bridge of communication between peoples of different cultures in a respectful environment that rejects extremism and emphasises on the acceptance of the other.

8 to 22 March in Abu Dhabi

A few months after the highly successful Pan-Hellenic Special Olympics 'Loutraki 2018', Special Olympics Hellas is preparing for the biggest sporting and humanitarian event for the year 2019 at the Special Olympics World Cup 'Abu Dhabi 2019'.

In the Games, which will be held from 8 to 22 March, Special Olympics Hellas, will participate with a 91-member Mission, with Greek athletes competing at Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Bowling, Cycling, Kayak, Sailing, Backpacking, Basketball, Bocce, Horse Riding and Soccer.

The Special Olympics Greek Mission departs on March 8 with ETIHAD flight E90 at 13:35.

Find more information on the events at https://www.abudhabi2019.org/