Competitors received messages of support via video link from celebrities and sports stars. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Competitors attended the Special Olympics World Summer Games Team SOGB send-off reception at the Holiday Inn hotel near London's High Street Kensington. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Actor Jim Carter OBE (Downton Abbey) (R) and Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy (L) welcomed competitors at the event. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Nerves and excitement were palpable as the athletes prepared to depart for Abu Dhabi. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Many of the competitors have never been on a plane before. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
The athletes hope to make new friends from some of the 192 countries competing in the games. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
The British delegation is the largest ever sent to a World Summer Games. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Michelle Carney, Chief Executive of SOGB. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Competitors received messages of support via video link from celebrities and sports stars. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Competitors attended the Special Olympics World Summer Games Team SOGB send-off reception at the Holiday Inn hotel near London's High Street Kensington. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Actor Jim Carter OBE (Downton Abbey) (R) and Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy (L) welcomed competitors at the event. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Nerves and excitement were palpable as the athletes prepared to depart for Abu Dhabi. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Many of the competitors have never been on a plane before. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
The athletes hope to make new friends from some of the 192 countries competing in the games. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
The British delegation is the largest ever sent to a World Summer Games. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Michelle Carney, Chief Executive of SOGB. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Competitors received messages of support via video link from celebrities and sports stars. Pete Maclaine / i-Images
Special Olympics: Team SOGB departs for Abu Dhabi
The British delegation received a big send-off in London
