President and Mrs. Trump Welcome 2019 Special Olympics World Games Participants
In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on July 18, 2019, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump admire a jersey during a meeting in the Oval Office with American athletes who participated in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Behind the Resolute Desk at left, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence hold aloft a second jersey, with the assistance of basketball player Matthew Millet. The United States was one of 200 nations that competed in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, that were held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. It was the first Special Olympics to be held in the Middle East. The international program was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy, to celebrate their sister Rosemary Kennedy by providing opportunities to build confidence, connection, and independence for people with mental disabilities through sports.