Maldivian athletes win gold and silver at Special Olympics

Athletes representing the Maldives at the 2019 Special Olympics underway in Abu Dhabi have won gold and silver medals.

Shifna Ibrahim won the gold medal in the women’s 100-meter running in the new nations category. She completed the race in 18.01 seconds.

On Sunday, Wasmee Waheed came second in the men’s 200-meter running. He completed the race in 27.25 seconds.

Two other Maldivian candidates finished fifth in their races. The Maldives is competing in the new nation’s category with 20 other countries.

Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics is a sporting competition for people with intellectual disabilities. Athletes from 170 nations are competing in this year’s edition across more than 30 individual and team sports. The event is taking place in the United Arab Emirates from March 14 to 21.

The Maldives is officially represented at the games for the first time after the formation of a Special Olympics committee.

On Tuesday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih congratulated the athletes who won gold and silver.

Proud of the achievement of Maldivian athletes Shifuna Ibrahim for winning gold (100M running) and Wasmee Waheed for winning silver (200 meter running) at the Special Olympics World Games held in Abu Dhabi. Congratulations and keep up the good work. pic.twitter.com/TBP7QP47b8

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) March 19, 2019