Abu Dhabi to host 2019 Special Olympics

Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital city, is set to host the 2019 Special Olympic World Games after winning a unanimous vote.

Celebrating the announcement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said via Twitter, “UAE’s hosting of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games reflects the world’s confidence in UAE’s capabilities, youth & humanitarian image.”

“We welcome the world’s best athletes to the UAE, congratulate Special Olympics leadership on promoting inclusion & tolerance through sport.”

“Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi is revolutionary for our movement and for the Middle East region,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics chairman.

“There’s no better or more profound location than Abu Dhabi to invite the world to come together in celebration of sport, in celebration of people of all kinds, and to demonstrate to the world that the lines of division can be erased.”

The World Games happen once every two years, with the next event scheduled to take place in Austria in March 2017.

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