The Special Olympics began in 1968. The aim of it was to empower people with intellectual disabilities and to educate the public to regards special needs people as valued members of their communities, which would ultimately lead to a more respectful and inclusive society.
This idea was the initiative of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John F. Kennedy’s sister who could not stand and watch the exclusion of her intellectually disabled sister, Rosemary, from the joys in life. It pained her to see that Rosemary, who came from such a privileged family, was a persona non grata at events and official functions.
This year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, is considered to be the world’s largest humanitarian and sporting event of the year.
The Israeli delegation is compiled of 25 delegates who competed in Bowling, Judo, Swimming and Basketball.
President Rivlin hosted the Israeli athletes before they left to the United Arab Emirates. He stated “That spirit that you bring with you to the Special Olympics is something we can all learn and draw inspiration from” he also told the athletes how they prove that our minds have an incredible way of bringing their bodies to life and so achieving things that at first sight appear impossible. He finished off by telling the athletes that they prove that human will is the most important force in nature.
The UAE and Israel do not have any formal relations with each other, nevertheless, “The Special Olympics promises no country will be excluded because of its geography and politics,” Sharon Levy-Balanga, CEO of Special Olympics Israel, told The Media Line. “It’s powerful to send a delegation to a country with which we have no diplomatic ties and for them to serve as ambassadors of Israel.”
The athletes feel that they have diplomatic role to play. Due to the language barrier, communication is not easy for any of the athletes, they adopted a ritual throughout the years, to share little gifts between themselves.
The athletes go back to their home country with souvenir stamped with the different country’s flag. Israel is very proud to be able to bring the Magen David (the star of david, the symbol of the state of Israel) into Dubai.
The athletes are all above the age of 21, have intellectual disabilities, and work and live in special institutions. One of the athletes, Levav Barkan , who competed in Judo, was very stressed about taking a plane and very nervous during the flight. However, as soon as he arrived on the judo matrass, he was at his best, ready to win.
The Israeli delegation who was sent to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles came home with the astonishing amount of 25 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze medals. This year, the delegation to the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 came back with 22 medals!