
UAE Special Olympics team clinches 16 medals at World Winter Games Turin 2025
The UAE delegation has achieved an exceptional sporting feat at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 wwhich wrapped up on March 16. The team clinched a remarkable total of 16 medals — four gold, five silver, and seven bronze — showcasing their incredible talent and determination.
The UAE Special Olympics team, which included 11 athletes with intellectual and developmental challenges, showcased their skills across a range of winter sports, including snow running, cross-country skiing, figure skating, alpine skiing, short track speed skating, and skateboarding.
This impressive achievement marks yet another milestone in the UAE's sporting achievements at the first Winter Games since Abu Dhabi hosted the 2019 World Summer Games. It is also the greatest achievement for the Middle East and North Africa region.
Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE and Head of Mission to Turin 2025, expressed his happiness with the exceptional achievement.
He said that this accomplishment is the result of great effort and dedication that continued for several months of training and preparation.
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The National
24-04-2025
- The National
UAE-backed Special Olympics drive aims to boost inclusivity in the classroom
A UAE-backed Special Olympics task force has delivered a global "call to action" to champion inclusivity in schools for children with disabilities and ensure access to quality education for all. The Special Olympics Global Centre for Inclusion in Education has set out plans to address gaps in disability-inclusive education and participation in school sports as part of a major push to champion equality. The strategy – called 'A Global Research Agenda for Building Inclusive Learning Environments – has been carried out by the centre's research collaborative. The work of the think tank, made up of scholars from leading academics, including Yale University, Harvard University and NYU Abu Dhabi, is supported by a $25 million grant from President Sheikh Mohamed, given in 2020. The key funding aimed to build a lasting legacy following the success of the landmark Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi in 2019. 'From both personal and academic perspectives, inclusion means an environment where children are valued for their contributions, not their perceived deficits," said Dr Jackie Jodl, who is head of Global Youth and Education at Special Olympics International. "It's about building friendships and being embraced for who you are. 'The agenda is a call to action. We're moving beyond isolated best practices to systemic change that's measurable and sustainable.' The initiative was announced at the recent 2025 Global Disability Summit in Berlin, with input from global academics, youth advocates, and Special Olympics athletes. 'In my perfect world, a child with a disability can walk into their local school and feel like they belong. It's about creating environments where everyone is accepted as they are,' Dr Kristie Patten, professor and counsellor to the president at New York University Steinhardt, told The National. The agenda urges the international community to step up efforts in training teachers and sport coaches on inclusivity plans, defining inclusion across cultures, engaging families and communities; measuring results, supporting displaced learners, and using artificial intelligence responsibly. Dr Patten said there was a need for a shift in public perception. 'Disability isn't about the individual. It's about how supportive or limiting the environment is,' she said. 'If my child flaps her hands in the grocery store and I stop taking her because of how people react – that's what disables her. 'We also have to think about displaced populations; refugees and others who are too often left out of these conversations. Inclusion shouldn't be earned. It should be built in from the start.' The Global Centre for Inclusion in Education operates in 59 countries and supports more than 2,600 schools in running programmes promoting inclusivity. Despite significant strides being made, particularly through the Special Olympics movement, there is more work still to be done. Analysis by Unesco of 209 countries has found that while 38 per cent of countries promote inclusive education in their policies, only 17 per cent legally guarantee these measures and 25 per cent still allow for fully segregated schooling. The research collaborative is seeking to change attitudes, policies and laws to offer greater support to children with disabilities. 'The UAE shows what's possible when there's a systemic approach,' said Dr Jodl. 'We're following His Highness's vision to share what works globally.' Previous World Bank estimates indicate that excluding people with disabilities from education, jobs, and society could cost a country between 3 and 7 per cent of its GDP. 'We haven't yet fully realised what inclusive systems can deliver,' said Dr Jodl. 'So the cost of doing nothing may be even higher.' One emerging focus is to ensure artificial intelligence is not unwittingly used to perpetuate stereotypes and marginalise some groups. 'If AI is trained on deficit-based assumptions, it will reinforce harmful stereotypes,' Dr Jodl warned. 'We need to shift the data and the mindset.' The centre plans to present its first set of findings later this year at a global symposium aimed at expanding partnerships and accelerating impact.


Gulf Today
15-04-2025
- Gulf Today
UAE athletes from Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin get heroes' welcome
Majid Al Futtaim's Ski Dubai, in partnership with the UAE Winter Sports Federation, welcomed the UAE delegation of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 at a homecoming celebration in their honour. The ceremony was held at the Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, reinforcing the nation's commitment to championing and advancing inclusion in sports. The UAE delegation, composed of 11 athletes of determination, proudly represented the nation as their largest team to date at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Held from March 8-15, the delegation achieved outstanding success, securing an impressive tally of 16 medals, including four gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals. During their homecoming celebration, the athletes showcased their world-class talent by performing a synchronised skiing and snowboarding run and carrying the UAE Flag and Special Olympics Flag on the snow-covered slopes of Ski Dubai, in front of their families, coaches, senior officials from the UAE Government and Special Olympics UAE, Majid Al Futtaim. The event was graced by Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of the Special Olympics UAE, Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, Mohammad El Etri, Managing Director of Operations of Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, and representatives of Special Olympics UAE. Hashemi said 'We are incredibly proud of our athletes who represented the UAE with passion, perseverance, and pride at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Their remarkable achievement of 16 medals is not just a testament to their talent, but also to the power of inclusion and what can be accomplished when individuals of determination are given the opportunity to thrive. 'Our heartfelt thanks go to Majid Al Futtaim and the UAE Winter Sports Federation for their unwavering support in preparing our delegation. This homecoming celebration is a reminder of the progress we are making as a nation towards building a more inclusive sporting community.' Lahoud said: 'We are extremely proud to see our homegrown athletes achieve the historic victory they deserve. For over a year, our world-class facilities at Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi have been a training ground for their incredible talent, determination, and resilience, and now the rest of the world has witnessed it too.' 'Majid Al Futtaim is committed to making winter sports accessible for all, right in the heart of the desert. Through the transformative power of sports, we aim to foster inclusivity and celebrate diversity among people of determination. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Special Olympics and UAE Winter Sports Federation to continue achieving the extraordinary.' Since 2024, the ongoing partnership between Majid Al Futtaim and Special Olympics UAE have made winter sports even more accessible to athletes with intellectual disabilities by focusing on talent identification, team building, skill development, performance monitoring, and overall readiness, empowering them to reach new heights and represent their country on the global stage.


Khaleej Times
12-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: From sand dunes to snow slopes; how these determined athletes won hearts across the world
'What do you know about the Winter Games?', they were once asked. But after a year of intensive training, including sessions in Dubai at Ski Dubai, Uzbekistan, and Italy, these Emirati athletes brought home a total of 16 medals — four of which were gold – making the UAE one of the standout delegations in the region. The athletes of determination and their families spoke to Khaleej Times about their joy and ability to face challenges, especially as participants from the desert who played and won in snow-based games for the first time. The UAE sent 11 determined athletes. The team competed in six sports: Alpine Skiing, Snowshoeing, Figure Skating, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, and Short-Track Speed Skating. Training paid off Among the medalists was Meena Al Mazrouei, 23, who competed in snowboarding. She shared: 'Maintaining balance and posture for inclines and turns takes intense training and mental focus. It was snowing, freezing, and at times I felt exhausted and overwhelmed — but our coaches were there, constantly encouraging us.' She recalled one particularly emotional moment: 'I began crying—I felt like I couldn't breathe. Coach Lina told me to take 10 deep breaths in a row. I did, and I felt better. That moment taught me the power of staying calm under pressure.' Pushing through the pain Twenty-year-old Salma AlSlami, who secured a silver and a bronze in snowshoeing, shared how she battled an unexpected injury. 'I hurt my toe badly before the competition — it got slammed into a door. The nail was bruised, and the pain was intense. But I told myself: either the injury wins, or I do.' Thick fog also posed a challenge during the competition. 'Visibility was low—I needed glasses to see better,' she explained. 'Still, I pushed through and never stopped.' Golden answer As the snow settled over Turin, it was clear that the determined athletes from the UAE had left their mark — not only on the ice but also in hearts across the world. At 33, Zalikha AlMansoori made her first appearance at the Special Olympics World Winter Games — and walked away with a gold medal in Cross Country Skiing. She was selected by the committee after showing promise during training. Her family played a significant role in her journey, driving her twice a week from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai for training. 'They believed in me. They were always by my side,' she said. The family recalled the scepticism AlMansoori and other athletes faced. 'Competitors said, do you really think you'll win medals coming from the desert?' But the victory proved otherwise. 'They showed they have the will and strength. This gave them the push to keep going,' AlMansoori's family said. A father's motivation, a son's victory Abdullah AlNuaimi, 23, was among the top performers in snowboarding. His father, Walid Al-Nuaimi, explained how he first enrolled his son—who has a communication disorder — at the People of Determination Club in Ras Al Khaimah. 'He was hesitant to travel,' Walid said, 'but I told him this is not just a trip—it's an opportunity to represent the UAE.' Abdullah competed in three competitions over three days, winning gold and bronze medals. 'He overcame his fear and proved to himself—and to us—that he could do it,' his father said. Mothers behind the champions Many athletes' families have been part of their journey for years. Hamda Al Hosani's mother, whose daughter has been competing in the Special Olympics since 2008, said, 'We've been part of Zayed Higher Organisation since 2002. I couldn't travel with her because the competition happened during Ramadan, but I prayed for her every day. She trained in freezing temperatures and came back stronger.' Another proud parent, Um Salma from Abu Dhabi, began her journey as a volunteer. 'When my daughter was in school, we volunteered at the Olympics. She loved the atmosphere of the competitions, so we signed her up. Within a month, she competed in Egypt — and won gold.'