The flame for the Special Olympics World Games was lit in a ceremony in Athens on Wednesday, beginning its journey to Abu Dhabi.
In a ceremony in the Greek capital, the torch for the games, branded "the Flame of Hope" was lit before it was taken on a tour of Athens.
The torch will be transported on an Etihad Airways flight to the UAE, where it will land on Thursday afternoon, before being taken to Ras Al Khaimah to begin the torch run.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, which has been branded the Flame of Hope Torch Run for 2019, will feature law enforcement officials from around the world and competitors in the games running the torch across every emirate.
The torch will visit sites including the Fujairah Fort and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before arriving at the opening ceremony on March 14.
The games will be held from March 14 to March 21. It is the first time the Special Olympics World Games have been brought to the Middle East.
It will feature more than 7,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 3,000 coaches from more than 190 countries.
Sporting events from powerlifting to bowling will take place across nine locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
