A judge in Brazil ruled that former Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey is to be "given back his passport and permitted to leave the country for medical reasons." Justice Juliana Leal de Melo of the Special Court for Supporter & Large Events in Rio de Janeiro ruled that Hickey can be allowed to leave Brazil "to treat a health problem." However, Hickey "must pay a bond to the court" of €410,000 ($438,000). In her deliberation, the judge said that as Hickey "has no links with Brazil," she would allow him to leave to receive medical attention. She noted that there was a risk that Hickey "may not return to Brazil, but that this needed to be balanced with health concerns." In addition to payment of the bond, Hickey "must agree to fully cooperate with the legal process in Brazil and be present for any calls that are made of him as the process continues" (RTE, 11/16).
Abu Dhabi is to host the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, "the region’s first sporting event for athletes with special needs and disabilities." The Special Olympics int'l board of directors "unanimously voted to award the World Games to Abu Dhabi based on a comprehensive bid proposal, a site visit by a board committee and the country’s vision to create inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities" (THE NATIONAL, 11/16).
