Special Olympics GB has announced its team for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. The World Summer Games is the biggest global event for Special Olympics every four years.

Chris Hull of Special Olympics GB said: “We are thrilled that for this World Games, TeamSOGB will be sending a delegation of 129 athletes to the Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games to take part in 17 sports.

They will be part of around 7,000 other athletes with learning disabilities from around the globe. The 15th Special Olympics World Summer Games will take place from 14 – 21 March 2019 with Great Britain one of 168 countries taking part.

Special Olympics is for athletes with intellectual (learning) disabilities – including autism and Down’s Syndrome. This will be one of the greatest shows on Earth in 2019 – with the very best of human spirit on show from athletes, volunteers, families, supporters and friends.”

Competition

The Games will feature seven days of competition in 24 sports, such as court sports: badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boccia, handball, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. There will also be races in athletics, cycling, kayaking, open water swimming, roller skating, sailing, swimming and triathlon. Judged competitions will include equestrian, judo, artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. Rounding off the list of sports are bowling, football, golf and powerlifting.

Many thousands of people will take part or watch the Games. An estimated 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and their 2,600 coaches will arrive early to get used to the timezone and temperature.

Abu Dhabi itself will provide 20,000 volunteers and up to 500,000 spectators with the families of the athletes expected to number around 6,000. There is an expectation that 2,000 reporters, broadcasters, photographers, videographers and bloggers will capture the Games for international media. Around 4,000 Honored guests of Special Olympics are also invited to attend.

Schedule for 2019 Special Olympics World Games

Host Town Events: 8 – 11 March 2019

Divisioning and Preliminary Competitions: 12 and 13 March 2019

Opening Ceremony: 14 March 2019

Competition: 14 – 21 March 2019

Closing Ceremony: 21 March 2019

More: www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk

Twitter: @SOGreatBritain

Find details of the team selection at: www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk/competitions/wsg-meet-the-team

If you would like to support Special Olympics GB or their #TeamSOGB World Games team as a sponsor or partner please call Chris Hull on: 07713193927

TeamSOGB will be sending a delegation of 129 athletes to the Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.