During a moving ceremony in Athens, Greece on 27 February 2019, the Flame of Hope torch was lit by the rays of the sun as the first part of its journey to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. This marks the first time in Special Olympics history that World Games will be held in the Middle East and North Africa Region.
The flame lighting ceremony took place in Zappeion Palace, the birthplace of the Olympics. In attendance were dignitaries and high-level officials from Greece, UAE, Special Olympics and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, as well as figure skating champion and Special Olympics Board member Michelle Kwan.
Iliana Symeonidou, High Priestess and Special Olympics athlete, lit the flame and passed it to Special Olympics Hellas athletes and law enforcement officials, who carried it through the streets of Athens. Its next stop is the UAE, where members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) will relay the Flame of Hope through all seven emirates before lighting the cauldron at the World Games Opening Ceremony on 14 March.
Iliana Symeonidou, High Priestess and Special Olympics Hellas athlete pictured lighting the Flame of Hope torch during the ceremony in Athens, Greece which took place ahead of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. The torch lighting took place at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, Greece on 27 February 2019. The flame will now be transported to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the Games which kick off on 14 March 2019. Over 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games from 14 to 21 March 2019.
Priestesses pictured during the Flame of Hope Torch Lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece which took place ahead of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. The torch lighting took place at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, Greece on 27 February 2019. The flame will now be transported to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the Games which kick off on 14 March 2019. Over 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games from 14 to 21 March 2019.
Photo by Lefteris_Partsalis
The Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece which took place ahead of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. The torch lighting took place at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, Greece on 27 February 2019. Following the ceremony, members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics carried the flame along the streets of Athens.The flame will now be transported to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Games which kick off on 14 March 2019. Among the guests at the torch lighting ceremony were Special Olympics athletes who will participate at World Games and dignitaries such as President of Special Olympics Hellas, Ambassador ad.h. Dionyssios Kodellas, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports, Georgios Vassiliadis, Figure skating champion and member of the Board of Special Olympics International, Michelle Kwan. Over 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games from 14 to 21 March 2019.
Michelle Kwan, figure skating champion and member of the Board of Special Olympics International, pictured at the Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece which took place ahead of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. The torch lighting took place at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, Greece on 27 February 2019. The flame will now be transported to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the Games which kick off on 14 March 2019. Over 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games from 14 to 21 March 2019.
Photo by LEFTERIS PARTSALIS
Panos Vazaios, Internship Program Coordinator and Program Officer at Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Ambassador ad.h. Vassilis Kaskarelis, Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors and Member of the Executive Management Team of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Elenia Saloutsi, Deputy Chief Communication Officer and David Evangelista, President and Managing Director Special Olympics Europe Eurasia region, pictured at the Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece which took place ahead of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. The torch lighting took place at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, Greece on 27 February 2019. The flame will now be transported to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the Games which kick off on 14 March 2019. Over 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games from 14 to 21 March 2019.
Photo by LEFTERIS PARTSALIS
