How a desert country sent a national team to the Winter Olympic Games

A new challenge in the snow

On the slopes of Ski Dubai, the athletes hurtle downhill at breakneck speed – leaving others practising their moves far behind.

“Bend into the curve,” a coach yells out as the Alpine ski team glides by, gently bending their knees as they approach a bend.

For the outside world, the athletes are making history by breaking boundaries and redefining expectations of people with cognitive and learning challenges.

But for the athletes, trooping in daily from the bright sunshine into freezing indoor arenas, it is about their love for their sport and their own personal challenges. Their passion unites them and keeps them returning, despite falls and injuries, and their camaraderie is evident as they joke with their coaches while pulling on their gear.

The playful mood changes instantly, however, when their coaches outline the training programme, staying razor-focused when speeding down the slopes and grinding to a quick stop, beaming as they spray snow on skiers they have left behind.

They have a range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and intellectual and learning challenges. Some use sign language to communicate, cupping their fingers to form heart symbols at the end of training sessions. Aged 20 to 39, most are competing internationally for the first time, with one veteran who has already won gold for the UAE in the Special Olympics Summer Games.

Athletes united by camaraderie and passion for sport

First-time competitors look up to Hamda Al Hosani, a sprinter with 18 medals in 100m and 200m events at the Special Olympics Summer Games. A trailblazer in the sprints, the 37 year old, who holds an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University Dubai for her achievement in sports and empowering people with disabilities, has added figure skating to her achievements.

“I can’t wait to participate the games. Hopefully I’ll come home with the gold,” she said.

This enthusiasm is infectious and felt across the team. The coaches say the athletes' thirst for knowledge and can-do attitude makes them quick learners.

“It’s amazing, it’s a light, they are a light in every session,” said Gabriel Guevara, head coach of the UAE’s alpine ski team. “My athletes … come with a smile every day.

“They light up the slopes,” he said.

He recalls how Zuleikha Al Mansouri, 35, stunned support staff after she was asked to try cross-country skiing.

“It was like magic,” said the Argentinian coach. “The movement for cross country is fast. We didn’t know she had this in her until the sport unlocked her potential.”

“I love to run fast,” said Al Mansouri, an Ajman resident and a key member of the cross-country team.

Her teammate Khalifa Al Ameri, 39, shares her love for speed as he cleaves a path through the snow.

“I’m really fast,” said the Dubai resident. “Speed is what I like. I like running, skating and winter sports.”

The athletes hug and cheer for each other when they complete tasks, from balancing exercises to strength training set out by their coaches during a training session in Ski Dubai last month.

“I’m very excited,” said Mina Al Mazrouei, 23, a snowboarder from Abu Dhabi. “I had a bad fall initially and was scared, but now I focus on my technique.”

Yousef Al Mulla, 23, an Alpine skier from Sharjah, said skiing makes him happy. “I keep learning.”

When a coach shouts out guidance, the athletes grin back, flash a thumbs-up sign and push off with their ski poles.

The warm camaraderie extends throughout intensive sessions, with one athlete pretending not to hear the coach as he doles out instructions in a steady stream. “I can’t hear you,” she says with a broad smile.

One family’s story of support

In 2019, the Special Olympics World Games were held in Abu Dhabi, sending a powerful message of inclusion across the region. It encouraged families to involve children with special needs in sports and to interact with the outside world.

Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics movement aims to break misconceptions about people with cognitive and developmental disabilities, while encouraging more people to take up sports.

For many Emirati families, the 2019 Games were a turning point. Packed stadiums and enthusiastic volunteers showed society’s support.

Abu Dhabi athlete Salma Al Salami, 21, will compete in snowshoeing and has one wish: “I hope to make my parents happy and proud.”

Her mother, Hayat Al Jalali, urges families with children who have special needs to enrol them in sports and activities.

“There is no shame in having a child of determination,” she said. “Sports is very important and Special Olympics UAE has made a huge impact in making sports accessible to all people of determination.

“When you see people of determination reach new heights, contribute in national, regional and global events – it makes a huge difference to children like my daughter Salma. I say don’t leave them at home, make them go out, see the impact they have, how they contribute to the community in any way they can.”

Never much of a sportsperson in school, Al Salami’s ties with the movement began in 2019 when her mother volunteered and took her along for the Games. That was the start of her journey to turn to sport, represent the UAE and study to be an assistant coach.

“Salma was not very much into sports, in fact she avoided sports during her school years. She has learning challenges, has trouble keeping her focus and so school was tough,” said her mother. “When we volunteered for the World Games in Abu Dhabi, that was a turning point for Salma. She saw what these athletes could do, what they are capable of and from then on she wanted to join the Special Olympics. She fell in love with sports and began participating in athletics and many other competitions. She now has a diploma to be a coaching assistant. That is the story of my Salma.”

A shared dream and inspiration to others

Al Jalali is proud how hard her daughter has trained to wear the country’s colours, with the entire family rallying behind her.

The snowshoeing athlete trains four times a week in preparation for the Games.

“She was actually praying really hard to be chosen,” said Al Jalali. “There were so many competitions, assessments before the final team was announced."

The family have been an essential part of Al Salami's journey.

“This is literally a dream coming true for Salma,” Al Jalali said. "Our family is incredibly proud and constantly cheering her." She takes her daughter to every training session, while her sisters take her shopping to buy any gear she needs.

“For us, it’s an absolute honour that she will represent the country. To make our country proud, this is not only Salma’s dream but that of each and every one of the athletes who are happy for this opportunity to shine and have their country shine.”

Al Salami's discipline has also grown.

“She has become more dedicated and focused than ever,” her mother said. “She actually makes sure we are at the training session a minimum of one hour before. It’s because of her excitement that she just cannot wait to go to every single training session."

The athlete is also sure to always listen intently to guidance from the coaches and has begun sharing training videos online to inspire others.

“Salma says this to everyone and also on her social media account: ‘I’m going to be number one, pray for me.’

“She asks everyone for their support and is thrilled to share her experience with anyone willing to listen. I truly believe we and the world can learn from her and the other athletes.”