For the first time, a city in the Middle East : Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, will host from 14 to 21 March 2019 the Special Olympics Summer Games. 170 countries, 7,500 athletes, 3,000 coaches, 20,000 volunteers, 10,000 parents and relatives, and nearly 500,000 spectators are expected...

18 athletes who benefit from the support of the Digicel Foundation will be part of the Haitian delegation, will compete in 3 disciplines:

Men's Football :

Yves Christaupher Banks, Sasha Bonnefil, Molensky Cima, Stanley Delille, Stivenson Joseph, Wilguens Louis-Jacques, Jean Loubens Mathieu, Paul Fritz, Widnerson Saint John, Esmann Thérapeuter, Pierre-Richard Voltaire.

Women Athletics (100m and 200m) :

Widgmy Charles, Renia Joseph, Christelle Paul, Vanessa Pierre, Evena Valery.

Riding :

Darlene Milord and Christopher Pouloute.

Remember that the Special Olympics recognized in 1988 by the International Olympic Committee (not to be confused with the Paralympic Games) are held every two years alternately (summer games, winter games). They are aimed at people with intellectual disabilities aged 8 to 80 years, with the emphasis on the participation of everyone rather than sporting achievement and are intended to enable people with disabilities to flourish through sport.

Remember that during these Games, all athletes receive a medal for their participation. More than 30 sports are included in the programs of these Games including: athletics, badminton, basketball, boccia (bowling-style sport), bowling, cycling, horseback riding, football, golf, gymnastics, weightlifting, handball, swimming, skating. casters, softball, tennis, table tennis, sailing, volleyball, judo.

The motto of the Special Olympics is "Give me the opportunity to win. But if I can not, give me the chance to compete with courage."

Note that Timothy Perry Shriver, son of Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy) is the President of the Special Olympics.

BF/ HaitiLibre