Karen Pence leads US delegation to Special Olympics in UAE

Vice President Pence’s wife, Karen Pence, arrived Wednesday at the Special Olympics World Games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Pence led a U.S. delegation that included Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon, Surgeon General Jerome Adams and former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, the co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

{mosads}Pence in a statement Wednesday called it “a great honor and privilege to attend the Special Olympics World Games and cheer on the amazing athletes.”

“The athletes at today’s soccer match displayed enthusiasm and camaraderie throughout the game. I was inspired by their tenacity and determination,” she added.

Pence and the delegation started their visit by attending a soccer match between the U.S. and Kenya. Pence participated in the coin toss for the event.

After the soccer match, Pence participated in a “Sister Cities” gift exchange “to highlight and recognize the relationship shared between Houston and Abu Dhabi,” the Office of the Second Lady said.

Pence presented Abu Dhabi with a letter and a framed postcard recognizing the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Falah Al Ahbabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, in exchange presented Pence with a sculpture honoring the founder of Abu Dhabi.

Pence, who also led the presidential delegation to the last Special Olympics in 2017, will lead the delegation and the U.S. athletes in Thursday’s opening ceremony.