Special Olympics UAE gymnastics competitions held at Wellfit Gymnastics
News: 5 June 2026
- Wellfit Gymnastics served as the official venue for the Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions of UAE Games 2026
Special Olympics UAE, in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council, hosted the Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions of UAE Games 2026 at Wellfit Gymnastics on 3 June 2026.
The event marked the opening gymnastics competitions of UAE Games 2026 and formed part of the wider national sporting platform dedicated to empowering People of Determination (POD) through sport. More than 1,000 athletes, unified partners, coaches and technical teams took part across the wider Games programme this year.
As venue partner for the gymnastics competitions, Wellfit Gymnastics welcomed athletes, families and members of the wider community for an afternoon focused on inclusion and the power of sport to bring people together.
The competition took place from 3pm to 7.30pm at Wellfit Gymnastics, located at Circle Mall in Jumeirah Village Circle, with VIP attendance from 5pm onwards, including representatives from Dubai Sports Council and Special Olympics UAE.
Beyond hosting elite competitions, Wellfit Gymnastics runs year-round training programmes designed for children and young athletes of all abilities, including ongoing gymnastics sessions and development programmes for People of Determination. The facility aims to create an accessible and supportive environment where every child can build confidence and a sense of belonging through gymnastics.
Reflecting on the significance of UAE Games 2026 and the impact of inclusive sporting platforms, Dr. Eng. Sherif Afif Al Shami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Special Olympics UAE, said: “I would like to thank Wellfit Gymnastics for its continued support of People of Determination over the past 6 to 7 years, a partnership that began with the 2019 Special Olympics. Wellfit Gymnastics has provided excellent facilities and training environments that have enabled athletes to compete at a high level and we look forward to building on this success in the future.”
Sarah Mercer, Head of Gymnastics at Wellfit Gymnastics, said: “Here, we believe sport should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or background. Hosting these competitions was a meaningful moment for the entire team, especially as some of the participating athletes train with us throughout the year. Gymnastics builds confidence and discipline, and we are proud to support platforms that celebrate inclusion through sport.”
The participating athletes trained under Mercer’s guidance reflected the diversity of the UAE’s sporting community, with gymnasts representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds, including Canadian Palestinian, New Zealander, Egyptian, Indian, Lebanese, Jordanian and Spanish Moroccan nationalities.
The Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions were among several disciplines included within UAE Games 2026, which continued in Abu Dhabi from 6 to 10 June. The initiative reflected the UAE’s continued efforts to advance inclusion in sport and create more opportunities for People of Determination across different sporting disciplines.
