The article by Scott and Al Nowais concerns the ceremony of lighting the flame of the Special Olympics World Games 2019. The show started on the early Tuesday morning in Thessaloniki, the biggest city in Greece. Millions of viewers gathered on the central stadium to watch singers in traditional costumes who were performing an exuberant parade marking the initiation of the ceremony. The symbol of the Games, named “The Flame of Hope,” was given to one Special Olympics athlete, Panayiotis Emmanouildis. Another athlete, Chaika Al Qassemi, was there just in case Emmanouildis could not make it.
Thousands of skaters then sled through the streets of the city, passing the torch to one another. After the skaters, cycles took the turn of carrying the torch. Gradually, they moved the flame from Thessaloniki to the capital of Greece, Athens. On Wednesday morning, the citizens of Athens were welcoming a variety of athletes bringing the torch through the second largest city of the country. In Athens, the Flame of Hope was carried to the Emirates embassy. The torch is expected to stay there for a week and then to be moved to the Emirates by sea. A luxurious cruise liner, which passes Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Oman before it reaches the UAE, will have the privilege to carry the flame.
The President of Special Olympics Hellas, Dionyssios Kodellas, said he was very surprised that Abu Dhabi had won the Games. However, he was delighted with the achievements of the country’s sportsmen. He mentioned that although disabled, these people had more strength and courage than some healthy individuals did. The understanding and love for all of those individuals, according to Dionyssios Kodellas, was “something they needed to have” (Scott and Al Nowais).
Kodellas mentioned that Paralympics sportsmen frequently faced stigma both in large and small cities. Even the families of such individuals sometimes had to suffer from prejudices and misunderstandings. Kodellas emphasized the urgent need for inclusion for all the members of society.
The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will take place from April 13 to 25. It is the year when the Emirates is happy to celebrate 200 years from the birth of Sheikh Zayed, its Founding Father. Hundreds of volunteers will be involved in various activities to help with the event. As a result, the UAE wants to gain the reputation of the organizer of an impressive sporting spectacle. At the same time, there is a hope that the lives of people with disabilities will improve after the Games. Additionally, it is expected that many new jobs will be created.
The opening ceremony in the UAE will start with choir singing which will involve participants from many countries. Over 100 delegations will be present to observe the show. Performers admit that the parade is their opportunity to show all of their talents and skills. An especially significant issue for them is the possibility of connecting with the audience. Over 6,000 athletes from 192 countries have expressed their willingness to participate in the Games. They will be assisted by 3,500 coaches and 15,000 volunteers who will make sure that everything is under control. Upon arriving in the UAE, the participants of the Games will carry the Flame of Hope across each emirate. The Games are expected to become the most important social event of the year.
Work Cited
Scott, Andrew, and Shireena Al Nowais. “Flame of Special Olympics World Games 2019 Is Lit in Athens.” The National. 2019. Web.