What makes the 2019 Special Olympic Games anthem special?
The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 officially launched its Olympic anthem on Monday. The pop anthem was produced by Grammy Award winner Greg Wells, who won the award for creating the soundtrack of ‘The Greatest Showman’. Besides Wells, a number of widely acclaimed music stars and producers collaborated on the anthem. The list includes Honorary Executive Producer and 28-time Grammy Winner, Quincy Jones, Canadian superstar Avril Lavigne, smash-hit ‘Despacito’ singer Luis Fonsi, well-known Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi, Egyptian artist Tamer Hosny, Syrian musical artist Assala Nasri and One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder.
The song has been co-written by Greg Wells, Ryan Tedder and Nina Woodford. It is believed that the song was written keeping in mind the idea to reinforce the message of unity and integrity among the athletes and participating nations.
As per the 2019 Special Olympics Games website, the song, titled Right Where I’m Supposed To Be, would be revealed for the first time at the Opening Ceremony of the event at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Thursday. The official anthem would be performed live by Avril Lavigne, Luis Fonsi , Hussain Al Jassmi, Tamer Hosny and Assala Nasri.
Special Olympics World Games, taking place from March 14 to 21 in Abu Dhabi, is one of the world’s largest humanitarian sports events which upholds the cause of people with intellectual disabilities and spreads the message of acceptance and inclusion.
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Greg Wells said: “I love the fact that Special Olympics is taking place in Abu Dhabi, where East and West will be united. We want to unite the whole universe on this path. The power that music has with a great song and message can not only cross fake lines on the map but ideological differences.”
Ryan Tedder said: “We have spent a lot of time on the lyrics and the track as we wanted it to be uplifting and inspiring without being too preachy. This is the kind of stuff I would want to hear, sitting in a stadium full of people. Fingers crossed that everyone will like it.”
Luis Fonsi said: “When I heard this track was being done by an amazing and talented group of people, I decided I wanted to be part of it. All we want to do is have a song where people smile, dance and have a good time. At the end of the day, to me that is what Special Olympics is all about.”
As per the reports, 7,500 athletes from more than 190 nations would participate in the 2019 Special Olympics, including 297 from UAE. The players would compete in 24 Olympic-style sports across nine venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Lavigne said in a statement: “I am so excited to come to Abu Dhabi. I have been working with the Special Olympics for a number of years and this will truly be an incredible experience performing at the largest and most unified Special Olympics World Games ever held.”
