Thursday, May 25, 2017

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways was unveiled as the official airline of the Abu Dhabi-hosted 2019 Special Olympic World Summer Games on Thursday.

More than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries will take part in the event from March 14 to 21.

As part of the deal, the airline will carry athletes, equipment, dignitaries and media to and from the host city.

Athletes and pilots attended the signing at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) between Etihad chairman Mohammad Mubarak Al Mazroui and Special Olympic World Summer Games higher committee chairman Mohammad Abdullah Al Junaibi.

Etihad Airways chief executive officer, Peter Baumgartner, said: “The 2019 Special Olympic World Summer Games is a remarkable opportunity to showcase our Abu Dhabi home to these phenomenal athletes as they compete on the highest stage. Everyone at Etihad Airways is immensely proud to be supporting the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which will be hosted in the Middle East region for the first time.

“The partnership with the Special Olympics is a key element of Etihad Aviation Group’s extensive social activity programme which, in turn, feeds into the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. We look forward to working closely with all of our partners to make the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games a truly memorable occasion.”

Peter Wheeler, chief executive officer of the Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019, said: “We are incredibly excited and grateful to be working alongside Etihad Airways for this prestigious sporting event. Etihad’s support will help ensure we put on a world class event in 2019 and allow us to reach further with our message of inclusivity, tolerance and philanthropy. These three key pillars will empower not only our athletes, but people of all abilities across the UAE.”

Staff Report

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