Over 7,500 athletes from 190 countries are heading to Abu Dhabi this week for the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games – and 28 Maltese athletes are heading up to kick some ass and show just how talented the island is.

The Special Olympics (which should not be confused with the Paralympic Games) is an event featuring athletes with intellectual disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome.

These inspirational athletes have been training hard in preparation for the big event, and hopes are riding high that Malta will be bringing home the gold next week.

“Our athletes have gone through an intensive training programme these last years, under the guidance of a gym instructor and a personal trainer,” said Christabel D’Amato, Sports Director with Special Olympics Malta.

“The coaching staff for each discipline ensured that each athlete had a full training session, as well as was given advice from a professional dietician to help guide their preparation for the competition,” she continued.

“It is now time for them to shine and manifest their abilities. They are all ready and very excited to make Malta Proud.”

Athletics

Left to right: Gilmour Borg, Matteus Muscat, Anne Ebejer, Naomi Axisa

Bocce

Left to right: Cedric Peplow, Alison Bonello

Unified Bowling

For the first time ever, Malta will participate in a Unified event, where an athlete teams up with a special athlete for a competition

Left to right: Jessica Farrugia, Amanda Cini, Peter Mallia, Natasha Bianchi, Mark Serge and Nicholas Falzon.

Cycling

Left to right: Gareth Borg, Carmelo Pace, Giuseppina Galea

Golf

Left to right: Rebecca Dalli, Adam Pisani

Gymnastics

Left to right: Annemarie Bugeja, Enrique Xerry

Swimming

Left to right: Maria Pia Saliba, Maria James, Sam Micallef, Benjamin Camilleri

Table Tennis

Left to right: Warren Schembri, Doreen Vella

Triathlon

Sacha Cini

“Special Olympics Malta would also like to thank Sports Malta, Marigold Foundation, Dizz Group, TDM and other sponsors who have believed in Special Olympics and made this venture possible.”

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]