Abu Dhabi 2019 Media COMMUNIQUE

Issue 1 | 10 January 2019

Introduction:

Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 Media Communiqué, which will provide you with key updates on what will be the world’s biggest sports and humanitarian event of 2019.

There are just 3 days to go until 7,500 of the most inspirational athletes in the world gather in the UAE for the World Games. The event will be the most unified in the 50-year history of the Special Olympics movement, involving people with intellectual disabilities in every aspect of the event.

The record number of participating athletes and Unified Partners, including the highest number of women to ever participate in a Special Olympics World Games, will compete in 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports across 11 venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while the build-up to the Games will be a nationwide celebration with the Law Enforcement Torch Run® and the Host Town program take place in all seven emirates of the UAE.

The event will act as a catalyst for inclusion, building a lasting legacy of improved health, education, and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities long after the Closing Ceremony of the World Games.

Media Communiques will be issued on a weekly basis in the run-up to the World Games and we look forward to sharing the latest news and information with you as we count down to the start of this exciting sports competition and cultural Olympiad in March.

Contents:

INTRODUCTION

Latest News:

WORLD GAMES TO WELCOME A RECORD 192 NATIONS

As the UAE gears up to host the most unified Games in the 50-year history of the Special Olympics movement, new Special Olympics programs have been established in 13 countries across the world, taking the total number of programs participating in a World Games to its highest ever at 192.

The UAE has been at the forefront of a large-scale initiative to encourage and support the development of Special Olympics in international locations where programs did not previously exist, broadening access to dedicated training and opportunities to showcase talent for people with intellectual disabilities.

Home to more than 200 nationalities, the UAE’s diverse society and culture of unity and warm hospitality are reassuring factors in making the journey to the World Games for the first time, enabling young and aspiring athletes with intellectual disabilities to enter an international competition and benefit from the enriching experiences to be gained from participation.

22 nations:

• Africa o Burundi o Cape Verde o Chad o Congo o Equatorial Guinea o Guinea o Guinea Bissae o Lesotho

o Liberia o Madagascar o Mozambique o Niger o South Sudan • Asia Pacific o Nauru o Solomon Islands o Marshall Islands o Palau o Micronesia • MENA o Comoros o Djibouti • North America o Barbados o Antigua

DUBAI TO HOST THREE SPORTS COMPETITIONS FOR WORLD GAMES

The emirate of Dubai will host three Special Olympics sports during the World Games in March.

Complementing eight world-class venues in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, where the majority of the 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports will be held, Dubai’s state-of-the- art Hamdan Sports Complex will host the World Games swimming competitions and La Mer will host the Open Water Swimming rounds, while the highly-anticipated athletics competitions will be held at Dubai Police Academy.

Hosting three Games sports competitions in Dubai will provide athletes in the two largest single participatory sports an opportunity to experience the world-class facilities and sport

expertise of Dubai while further increasing awareness and engaging the Special Olympics movement among UAE residents. This will enable even more people to cheer on the athletes and witness their achievements.

H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN MEETS WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS HOST TOWN COMMITTEES

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met with the Host Town committees of the World Games and Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, at the Sea Palace in Abu Dhabi.

The Host Town program will be held from 8 – 11 March and will be the largest cultural exchange program in the Middle East and North Africa. The program will include visits to tourist sites and inclusion in UAE cultural experiences, in addition to providing workshops and opportunities for athletes to share their stories with local students. It is the first milestone event that will be experienced by the delegations upon arriving in the UAE. They will experience the rich culture and history of the UAE ahead of their participation in the Games, with over 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches from 192 nations visiting one of the seven emirates to live, eat and breathe true Emirati life.

The Host Town program is an essential part of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Many of the athletes who took part in the recent Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 said the Host Town program was the most memorable experience of their time in the UAE.

Attending the Games:

APPLY NOW FOR MEDIA CREDENTIALS

All media interested in covering Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will need to apply for media credentials, which entitles approved media members to access all competition media centres, mixed zones, press conferences, media lounges, parking, and other media services and facilities. All local, regional and international media intending to cover the event should apply for credentials at: https://registrations.connect.specialolympics.org/auth/login/media/

The final deadline for online applications is 1 March 2019 but all media are encouraged to allow ample time for necessary approvals and security background checks. For all inquiries, please contact [email protected]

Pending Media Applications If you have already applied for media credentials for the World Games and you have not yet heard back that your application is approved, don’t worry! The process takes some time and existing applicants can expect to receive an update shortly. However, if your application has not yet been acknowledged with a receipt email, please contact [email protected] as it is possible the application is not yet fully complete.

Flight Discount Accredited media can take advantage of a special event discount with Etihad Airways, Official Partner of Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019. Visit etihad.com/AbuDhabi2019 and enter promo code SOG2019.

Media Hotel The official media hotel for Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019 is the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. Located close to the World Games venues for sailing, kayaking, and beach volleyball, the media hotel will also have a direct shuttle to the main media centre at ADNEC where 11 sports will be contested. To inquire about room rates and availability, please contact: [email protected] and copy [email protected] and use the subject line Special Olympics – Media Request – DISSOM

The World-Class Games Venues:

The World Games will be held across some of the UAE’s most iconic and world-class sporting venues. Below is a breakdown of the 11 venues across Abu Dhabi and Dubai with details of which sports will be held in each venue.

ABU DHABI: • ADNEC o Basketball o Table Tennis o Volleyball o Artistic Gymnastics o Rhythmic Gymnastics o Badminton o Powerlifting o Bocce o Judo o Handball • Zayed Sports City o Tennis Stadium ▪ Tennis o Zayed Sports City Stadium ▪ Football 7s ▪ Football 11s ▪ Fusball o Khalifa Bowling Center ▪ Bowling • Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club o Kayaking o Sailing • Yas Marina Circuit o Triathlon o Cycling • Yas Links Abu Dhabi o Golf • Al Forsan Resort o Equestrian • Corniche Beach o Beach Volleyball

DUBAI: • Hamdan Sports Complex o Swimming – Open Water Swimming will be held at La Mer • Dubai Police Club Stadium o Athletics – the Half Marathon will be held at Al Hudariyat Island in Abu Dhabi

Broadcast:

Listed below is a summary of the exciting programming planned around the 2019 Games, which will showcase the transformative power of sport to reveal the full potential of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

ESPN, in collaboration with Host Broadcaster Abu Dhabi Media/AD Sports, will be producing an unprecedented range of television programming around the event and offering opportunities and support for broadcasters wishing to facilitate unilateral content.

Content will be available in both 1080/50 and 1080/60 with English and Arabic commentary.

Live coverage – During the 14 days of the Games, the Host Broadcaster will generate approximately 300 hours of live OB coverage. This will include:

• Opening and closing ceremonies • Daily live OB from Athletics, Swimming, Football, Basketball and Volleyball • Additional live OB coverage of Equestrian, Kayaking, Powerlifting and a selection of other sports • Fully produced English language World Feed to include live and recorded sport linked by interstitial graphics and including color feature material. This program will run for approximately 7-8 hours on each competition day

Packaged content – Packaged content will be available via satellite download link and FTP delivery daily during Games time. This will include:

• Daily 52 minute highlights with English and Arabic commentary • Daily VNR (approximately five minutes) • Color features available for download as supplementary programing or website content • Packaged ENG coverage of sports not covered by live OB units • An OSP (On Screen Package) including titles, break bumpers, replay wipe and

stings will also be available for download

ESPN & World Feed content licensing & delivery:

Broadcasters can access the ESPN or World Feed broadcast feed for broadcast in their territory [including geo-blocked online platforms] subject to the terms of the non-exclusive broadcast license agreement to be concluded between themselves and ESPN. Broadcasters can not bring their own their live production units to cover the official ceremonies or sports competitions.

ESPN International will make ESPN Opening / Closing Ceremonies and Daily Highlights programming available to Licensed Broadcasters on its ESPN global satellite feed for a flat technical contribution of US$1,000 for the entire offering. Satellite access details will be provide closer to Games time. See attached ESPN SOWG Sales Sheet for programming overview.

Any parties wishing to access the full live World Feed may do so on a rights-free basis at their own technical delivery. The feed will be made available via a centralized satellite uplink footprint and onward distribution plans and costings can be developed with the SOWG LOC Broadcast team once the based on the scale and location of the Licensed Broadcaster’s requirement.

Contacts:

For further information on all Special Olympics 2019 Broadcast Content, please contact:

World Feed/ESPN Programming: Licensing & Delivery Chris Haber Head of Broadcast – Special Olympics World Games 2019 +971 50 572 6087

News/Feature Crews: Credentialing & Access Paula Kim or Nagham Qanadilo Media Operations - Special Olympics World Games 2019 [email protected]

Meet the Determined:

‘Meet the Determined’ is our message to the world, inviting audiences to attend or watch the Games, whilst celebrating the courage and talent of Special Olympics athletes.

The campaign highlights the extraordinary talent of participating Special Olympics athletes. The athletes participating in the campaign will give a voice to People of Determination in the UAE and around the world.

‘Meet the Determined’ celebrates the abilities of People of Determination and aims to change perceptions of intellectual disabilities by highlighting the stories of courage and determination of Special Olympics athletes.

#MeetTheDetermined

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS UAE TEAM WILL HAVE THE LARGEST DELEGATION OF ATHLETES

The Special Olympics UAE team will feature the most number of athletes with 320 currently signed up to represent the UAE at the World Games.

The 320 athletes will compete in a range of sports, from individual events such as swimming and athletics, to unified team sports such as football and basketball where they will play alongside teammates without intellectual disabilities. 2019 will be the first time the UAE has competed in every single sport in a Special Olympics Games.

The World Games will provide an inclusive experience for those with and without intellectual disabilities and is fully aligned with the UAE’s goal of building a more open, unified and accessible society built around the values of unity, tolerance and respect for all.

HAMAD AL SHEHI, SPECIAL OLYMPICS UAE FOOTBALL TEAM

A talented footballer who is thrilled to be representing the UAE at the World Games, Hamad Al Shehi features in a recent documentary about the power of determination and true sportsmanship.

Hamad’s coach, Omar, quickly spotted Hamad’s ability as a player and insisted on registering him with the team, including him in training sessions and eventually official games. Omar has worked hard to support Hamad and to boost his natural footballing talent through a variety of exercises designed to increase his fitness and skills.

Hamad’s family has seen a huge change in his demeanor and personality, with the young player eager to tell his parents and anyone who will listen just how much he enjoys being part of a unified team and how happy he is to be playing alongside new friends. His motivation, passion and desire to develop and learn as a player has impressed his coach who has seen the youngster, who plays in attack, blossom into a talented footballer who hopes to lead the UAE team to victory at the World Games in Abu Dhabi.

View the full documentary, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjq5_flolc&t=22s

GRACE SEIBOLDT, SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA SWIM TEAM

Grace is having an amazing 2018. The swimmer won three medals at the 2018 Special Olympics USA in Seattle, including gold for an incredible performance in the 200m individual medley. Now the 21-year-old from Illinois is hoping to add to her medal haul at Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Grace has been swimming since she was just five years old and competing in Special Olympics since 2017. Taking part in Special Olympics competitions has helped Grace grow in confidence, much to the delight of her family and friends.

The young swimmer, who has autism, will take part in the freestyle relay and breast stroke in the swimming competitions, which will be held in Dubai, and can’t wait to get in the pool to take part in the World Games and to meet athletes from all over the globe.

Her older brother, Chris, says Special Olympics is a huge part of his sister’s life. “When you have a sibling with a disability, a lot of the time they feel like they’re left out, they don’t always have the activities that typical kids have; but when they come to Special Olympics everyone is the same, everyone is excited, everyone is cheering each other on,” he said.

Grace pushed herself to her limits at the 2018 Special Olympics USA and was spurred on by the shouts of support from the crowd. With the whole world cheering her on in Abu Dhabi, she is aiming to achieve even greater success and maybe take home a medal or two.

KIERA BYLAND, SPECIAL OLYMPICS GREAT BRITAIN CYCLING TEAM

Sport means more to Kiera than just winning medals – it’s an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

Growing up, Kiera suffered at the hands of bullies who made her time at school an unpleasant and unsetting experience for her and her family. The abuse, sadly, took its toll on the youngster’s physical and mental health.

Her determination not to let the bullies win led her to attend a community sports event where she discovered Special Olympics teams taking part in competitions in her local area. It was here that Kiera found her love of cycling and has since gone on to win gold medals in a host of events.

Now an athlete leader for Special Olympics Great Britain, Kiera has regained her confidence through her passion for cycling as well as making scores of new friends along the way. She is looking forward to Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, where she will saddle up alongside athletes from all over the world, to win medals and build new, long-lasting friendships.

…And Finally

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES TRAIN WITH TENNIS LEGEND KEVIN ANDERSON

Athletes from the UAE team competing in Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi were given the opportunity to train with tennis legend, Kevin Anderson, at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

The athletes, who will be representing the UAE in tennis at the World Games in March, were put through their paces by Kevin Anderson and offered expert tips and advice for next year’s competition.

WORLD LEADERS GET BEHIND SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES ABU DHABI 2019

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, followed in the footsteps of UAE royalty, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and has been spotted wearing the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 wristband.

The Pakistan Prime Minister welcomed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Islamabad for a short one-day trip and the two key figures posed together with the wristband.

Imran Khan posted the picture to his one million followers on his Instagram account and it quickly became a big hit with the image getting more than 45,000 likes. It has also been widely shared by hundreds of social media users.

Global leaders expressing their support is a huge boost for the Special Olympics movement and is helping to set the standard for a more inclusive society.