CREATIVE DIRECTOR – ANDY TURNER

ABU DHABI, UAE

OPENING CEREMONY: The opening ceremony for the 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, proved to be an energetic and celebratory tribute to the spirit of competition and the power of inclusion. It was also a reflection of the biggest and most unified games ever.

In the UAE, those with disabilities are referred to as “People of Determination.” A team of People with Determination, called “The Makers,” worked to create the vision behind the Opening Ceremony held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium. Their vision came to fruition with an inclusive musical production featuring a 500-person choir and 360 school children, representing dozens of nationalities.

CLOSING CEREMONY: Held at Zayed Sports City, the spectacular Closing Ceremony featured amazing performances by global superstars Keala Settle and Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole opened the show with her latest song ‘Victorious’ written especially for the Special Olympics World Games. The evening also saw Khaleeji idol Rashed Al Majed, Iraqi star Waleed Al Shami, and Emirati singer Hamad Al Ameri take to the stage to the delight of Arabic music fans.

The iconic stadium, which hosted the Opening Ceremony of the World Games Abu Dhabi just seven days earlier, witnessed athletes, coaches and delegations take part in an inspirational parade around the vast arena as representatives from 200 nations bid a fond farewell to the capital of the UAE.