Abu Dhabi won a bid last year to host the games, which celebrate the skills, talents and sporting achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the world.
The games, which will be held for the first time in the Middle East, will see athletes compete in 22 sports at multiple venues across the city.
“Hosting the Special Olympics World Games is a way for the country to reinforce its long-standing commitment to creating inclusion,” Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman told reporters.
“We believe the Abu Dhabi Games will create a lasting impact for the Special Olympics movement.”
Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics is a global movement that seeks to provide year-round sporting activities and healthy athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The last Special Olympics was held in Los Angeles in 2015.
*REUTERS Reporting By Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Tom Heneghan | January 24, 2017
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Five Moments of Triumph - 2015 Special Olympics World Games
Share the triumph of Special Olympics athletes at their most powerful. Speed skating, beach volleyball, handball, powerlifting - watch five moments of serious athletic glory!
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