Syrians are seen at the starting point of a marathon held in the capital Damascus on June 29, 2018 for people with special needs. (Xinhua/Hummam Sheikh Ali)
DAMASCUS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Tens of Syrians with special needs Friday took part in a marathon event held in the center of the capital Damascus under the title "Sham Gathers Us."
The marathon was held for people with special needs, including those in wheelchairs and young men with other syndromes.
The event of "Sham Gathers Us," or "Damascus Gathers Us," includes activities launched with the aim of bringing back joy to the Syrians after the capital was declared secure and free of rebels recently.
The participants set off from the Mazzeh highway west of Damascus and passed through the Umayyad Square, the main square in Damascus, towards the Thishreen Park, one of the largest parks in Syria.
The marathon has even attracted normal people who showed up and took part in the event, which is supported by local initiatives but mainly by the Minister of Tourism Bishr Yazigi.
Three athletes on wheelchairs were the first to arrive the finish line in Tishreen Park, sweating and laughing on the hot summer day.
Abdul-Hakim al-Bikr, one of the winners, told Xinhua that the theme of the event is encouraging, as the event has brought together people of special needs and normal ones as well in this activity.
"Not only Sham (Damascus) but all of Syria gathers us and the event was very good as several segments of the society took part in, including normal people and those with special needs, and God's willing Syria would move forward and become better," he said.
Alaa Abdul-Salam, another athlete on a wheelchair, told Xinhua that the event has a special meaning after the Syrian capital has become fully safe for the first time in seven years.
"This event is very good. It was held at a time when Damascus has become safe and I hope we could see more festivals and events now that the city is safe," he said.
Moaed Mansour, the third winner, said that the message of the marathon is that Syria has emerged victorious after years of war.
"We love to take part in this marathon to tell everyone that Syria has won and we are back to what our lives used to be before the war and peace and security have returned to Damascus," Mansour said.
On May 21, the Syrian army declared Damascus safe and empty of rebels, following the defeat of the Islamic State in areas south of Damascus and other key rebel groups in the eastern countryside of the capital.
Following the declaration, people in Damascus have quickly restored the lost glamor of their city with late night events and parties as well as government-sponsored entertainment and cultural events, with a message that Syria has defeated the seven-year-long insurgency amid the Syrian army progress in other key areas across the country.