 | |
| Host city | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Motto | Meet the Determined (Arabic: تلبية العزم) |
| Nations | 195 |
| Athletes | 7,500 |
| Events | 22 Sports |
| Opening | March 14 |
| Closing | March 21 |
| Opened by | Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Main venue | Zayed Sports City Stadium |
| Website | Official website |
| Summer | |
| Winter | |
The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games (Arabic: 2019 الألعاب الأولمبية الصيفية الخاصة بألعاب العالم الصيفية, 2019 al'aleab al'uwlimbiat alsayfiat alkhasat bi'aleab alealam alsayfia) were a special olympics multi-sport event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the tradition of the Special Olympics movement. It was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from March 14–21, 2019.[1] ESPN offered international coverage of the games.[2]
The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games was the first Special Olympics games to take place in the Middle East, were also the first to be held in winter/autumn in the host city and the largest sports and humanitarian event recorded, featuring 200 National Programs, more than 7,000 athletes and 20,000 registered volunteers.[3] Since 2017 and following its national policy, the United Arab Emirates coined the term "determination" instead of "disability", referring to disabled people as "People of Determination".[3]
- ^ Staff Report (16 November 2016). "Abu Dhabi to host 2019 Special Olympic World Games".
- ^ Couch, Teri (2019-03-18). "Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019: Monday, March 18". ESPN MediaZone U.S. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
- ^ a b Jerusalem Post (9 March 2019). "United Arab Emirates to be First in Middle East to Host Special Olympics".