The exhibition, which is touring different Emirates, was officially opened in November 2011 by royal guests, HH Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan and HRH, The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, KG in the UAE capital, and is being supported with outreach and educational activities, running through until July 2012.

Olympiansis organised by the British Council, in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee, and in partnership with British Embassy, UK Trade & Investment, Emirates Foundation and BBC Arabia.

For the exhibition, British Council UAE commissioned well-established UK artist Gabriella Sancisi to develop a series of photos of qualified UAE Olympians and Paralympians. These portraits showcase some of UAE’s rising stars in shooting, equestrianism, swimming, athletics, and table tennis. The quotations from the Athletes that accompany the portraits give a unique insight into what drives athletes at this level, and inspire a new generation to take up sport.

“ADNEC looks forward to hosting this exhibition which is a wonderful work of art showcasing the many strong and skilled athletes who are representing us at the Games. We are grateful to the British Council for bringing the event to our venue where a number of visitors will be able to enjoy the images of these athletes,” said Humaid Al Dhaheri, ADNEC’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer.

The photography exhibition which is currently displayed at ADNEC, until 30 April 2012 coincides with the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 28 March – 2 April, which has selected the UK for its country of focus for 2012. During the event, ADNEC will become a meeting point for international and Arab publishers, and the cultural programme boasts many popular British authors including Marina Lewycka, author of best-selling  ‘A short History of Tractors in Ukrainian’, and prolific fantasy comedy author Jasper Fforde.

ExCeL London, ADNEC’s venue in the UK capital, will host seven Olympic events (Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling,) and six Paralympic events (Boccia, Paralympic Table Tennis, Paralympic Judo, Paralympic Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Fencing) during London 2012.