The UAE won 73 medals in the “Berlin Games 2023”

The UAE Special Olympics delegation won 73 medals in the Special Olympics World Games (Berlin 2023), with 18 gold medals, 22 silver medals, and 33 bronze medals, which is the largest Arab achievement in the largest humanitarian event in the world.

The UAE participated in the Games, which were held from 17 to 25 June, with the largest delegation from the Middle East and North Africa region, consisting of 167 individuals, including 103 players of determination with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their number reached 72 players, and unified partners. They number 31 players, and the players competed in 20 different sports.

Emirates on the podiums

The UAE Special Olympics players were able to seize many first places during the various days of the competitions, as the rhythmic gymnasts managed to win the gold medal on the first day of the games, followed by the achievements of roller skating, in which the players Ghanim Al Maamari and Marwa Omar managed to win two golds, and the judo player, Rawda, shone. Al-Ahbabi won her first bronze in the 100-kilogram category, and Zayed Al-Kaabi starred in his first participation in the World Games, winning the tennis bronze.

In swimming, veteran UAE swimmer Omar Al-Shami managed to get first place and win the 200-meter freestyle gold medal, and Alia Al-Muhairi won first place in the 25-meter freestyle race, in addition to four other bronze medals won by Emirati Special Olympics swimmers.

The Emirati Special Olympics players performed well in physical strength, as they were able to grab two bronze medals in the midst of strong competition, as Asma Ali won the gold medal, and Hareb Anbar won the bronze. In roller skating, Sayah Al-Habash won another gold medal, and Nujud Khamis finished fourth. In cycling, the players won two silvers and two bronzes. In the equestrian category, Mahra Al Kaabi came second. The bocce player, Mahmoud Jaarour, won the silver medal.

Impressive results and achievements

For her part, the Minister of Community Development and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Special Olympics, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, said in a press statement: “The UAE Special Olympics players finished their participation in the Berlin Games 2023 with a set of impressive results and achievements to be the most successful Arab delegation in terms of the number of medals won.” Achievement, thanks to their serious preparations that they made months before the launch of the Games, and we are proud to dedicate this success to His Highness the President of the State, the first supporter of people of determination, and the believer in the need to promote a culture of inclusion in society. I also congratulate the players, their families, their coaches and all the technical teams, and I do not fail to thank everyone who stood behind this success, the official sponsor of the team, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, and the various institutions and strategic partners who supported the mission along the way to Berlin, headed by Her Highness Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Honorary President of the UAE Special Olympics Foundation.

Participate in the leadership conference

On the sidelines of the Special Olympics World Games, the Global Conference for Leaders was held, where the conference witnessed the presentation of 60 projects. and Kuwait. The project presented by the UAE focused on establishing unified clubs that include people of determination and their peers in 20 schools, with the aim of enhancing the interaction of students with different abilities together, developing their skills, and spreading the culture of inclusion in and outside school communities.

18

Gold in rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, badminton, roller skating and athletics, basketball (men), and beach volleyball (men).

22

Silver medal in bowling, bocce, cycling and equestrian sports (women), volleyball (women).

33

A bronze medal in tennis, equestrian sports (men), sailing, swimming, athletics, and judo.