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With the famous Pyramids in the background, Carl Lewis (center) towers amongst the young athletes of Special Olympics Egypt. |
Carl Lewis, who sprinted and leapt his way to nine Olympic gold medals and into the history books, participated in a marathon with Special Olympics athletes at the foot of the Pyramids in Egypt on 12 March 2004. Lewis, a supporter of Special Olympics, was in Egypt for a week-long visit after having submitted the winning bid for two tickets to Egypt in an auction at the Best Buddies Ball.
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. The Best Buddies Ball is an annual fundraising event that includes live and silent auctions of donated items.
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Left to right, Special Olympics Egypt Chairman Ismail Osman, Carl Lewis, and Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Managing Director Ayman Abdel Wahab at the 11 March press conference.
In January Lewis joined Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics; Eunice Shriver, Special Olympics Founder; and Special Olympics athlete and employee Kester Edwards as guests at Giorgio Armani's Men's Fashion Show in Milan; on 11 January 2004, Armani had announced the publication of Facce da Sport/Faces of Sport, a book of photographs of athletes from around the world, which features Lewis as well as Edwards and 8 additional Special Olympics athletes among more than 400 pages of photography. [All photos courtesy Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa] |
While in Egypt, Lewis visited the Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa regional office in Cairo on 11 March and participated in a press conference, followed by a dinner at the Cairo Capital Club. At the press conference, Lewis said it was his first time in Egypt, but it will not be the last.
"I am willing to take part in any event for the welfare of athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Middle East/North Africa region," Lewis said. "This is a great honor for everyone." He added, "From my point of view, as an athlete, everyone should have an equal chance to train and compete and enjoy the feeling of victory as we are all human beings."
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Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Managing Director Ayman Abdel Wahab welcomes Carl Lewis on his visit to Egypt. |
Introducing Lewis, Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Managing Director Ayman Abdel Wahab said, "You will face strong competition from our Special Olympics athletes in the marathon. They are the title holders in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland, so take care."
On a serious note, Abdel Wahab added that this was the first time an international athlete of Lewis' stature had competed with Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa athletes. "This is then the start and we would appreciate it if other well-known athletes such as Carl Lewis come to promote the Special Olympics Movement throughout the world, especially in the Middle East/North Africa region."
The press conference was attended by more than 50 journalists representing top Egyptian, regional and international media outlets based in Cairo, including both print media and television stations.
After the Cairo Capital Club dinner, Abdel Wahab presented Lewis with the Special Olympics Shield in appreciation of his efforts with Special Olympics athletes in the region.
The following day, Special Olympics Egypt organized a marathon at the foot of the Pyramids for Lewis, Special Olympics athletes and students at Misr Language Schools. At the event, Lewis commented, "I am very happy to be in Egypt and to take part in an event for the welfare of Special Olympics athletes."
"'King Carl' is very humble to give us so much of his time," said Special Olympics Egypt Chairman Ismail Osman. "He is very humanitarian and we are very pleased that he joined our athletes in their marathon."
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