WWE chief Stephanie McMahon has paid tribute to the athletes of the Special Olympics and hailed the partnership between the two organisations.

Speaking from Abu Dhabi the Chief Brand Officer spoke of her own involvement in the Games and the inspiration they bring to her and the other WWE superstars.

“Our partnership with Special Olympics goes back decades,” she said. “I was actually in high school the first time I volunteered at the World Games so to be here now as the Chief Brand Officer of WWE and a mother of three daughters, to be part of such an important cultural and humanitarian effort that is all about bringing people together and celebrating what connects us, the inclusion, love, passion, work ethic and respect, that everyone has for one another and what everyone involved in these Games feels, it’s a privilege to be part of.”

Stephanie also spoke of the time WWE broke new ground in Abu Dhabi by holding a women’s match, a first for the region, and the lessons that can be learned from those taking part this week.

“It’s incredibly important for me personally, for the WWE, and for the world, and all cultures to be part of something that is about inclusiveness and bringing one another together and celebrate what we have in common.” she said. “For Special Olympics to be taking place in Abu Dhabi where we held the first women’s match in the region, and on that night the audience started chanting ‘this is hope’, and now for the first time ever at the Special Olympics World Games there are females athletes represented from every delegation. It is powerful.

“I am so inspired by the athletes. I had the opportunity to be there for the Torch Run as it came to the Louvre and had chance to talk to a couple of the athletes afterwards, and what they had to say, and the pure joy in their hearts is incredible. I asked an athlete, Ryan from New Zealand, if he were to speak to a group of WWE superstars what would he say. He said he would tell them ‘hard work, believe in yourself, and never give up’. I think those words, and that notion it true for all of us, and is exactly what Special Olympics is all about.”