Special Olympics USA is proud to announce that it will send a 313-member delegation to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, being held March 14-21, 2019, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Special Olympics USA, is comprised of 216 athletes, 63 coaches and approximately 34 delegation members who support team operations. Team members will compete in 18 of the 24 sports offered: athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football (soccer), golf, gymnastics – artistic, gymnastics—rhythmic, open water swimming, powerlifting, sailing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, and volleyball.
Seven athletes will represent Special Olympics Virginia. Meet the team below!
In addition, Ron Manilla will attend as a tennis coach as well as 6 Special Olympics Virginia staff members: Dave Pawlowski, medical team; Ellen Head, sports manager for gymnastics; Katie Botha, communications director for US delegation; Daniel Leake, technical delegate for volleyball; Nancy Morehouse, Unified Sports® delegate; and David Thomason, who'll be assisting with Global Messengers.
The delegation also includes Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together, as teammates. These will be the most inclusive Games to date. Special Olympics USA will have representation in the following Unified Sports: basketball, bocce, golf, sailing, soccer, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.
Please help us extend an extra special thank you to our sponsors who are supporting our athletes heading to Abu Dhabi:
Team Virginia's Honorary Head Coach
- Brian Evans, American Family Fitness
Honorary Coaches
- Greg Williams, supporting swimmer Tori Martin
- Boodie McGurn, supporting golfer Grace Anne Braxton
Additional Team Virginia Partners
- Aramark, supporting tennis player Chris Raupp
- Roney Family Foundation, supporting swimmer Joey Roney
- Azalea Charities, supporting swimmer Joey Roney
- Simventions, supporting golfer Grace Anne Braxton
- Rite Aid Foundation
- Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia
To learn more about the delegation, please visit www.specialolympicsusa.org for a full team listing, photos and bios.