The Deaflympics commenced on Saturday 15th November in Tokyo, Japan. The games celebrate athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing in a range of different sporting categories. The summer Deaflympics this year is extra special as it is the 100th celebration of the summer Deaflympics, marking a century of empowering deaf athletes and showcasing the talent and determination within the deaf community.
The Deaflympics and its whole ethos is dedicated to accessibility and inclusivity. The event enables talented athletes to compete on equal terms with each other with auditory cues replaced with visual cues, and referee’s whistles replaces with hand gestures during team sports. Ultimately, the Deaflympics stands as a powerful reminder that sport is about more than sound, it’s about an individual’s passion and shared interest to succeed that connects athletes from a range of different countries.
Over the last 100 years, the Deaflympics has increasingly grown, with athletes from over 100 countries competing in the games. Alongside the summer Deaflympics, there is also a winter Deaflympics, highlighting the range of talent in the deaf community. Both editions continue to expand, offering opportunities for athletes to compete in sports from skiing to athletics. Together, the games demonstrate the resilience and excellence of deaf athletes.
Since its inception in 1924, the global event has challenged stereotypes about the deaf communities’ abilities, showcasing that deaf athletes possess the same dedication and competitive spirit as their hearing peers. However, despite its importance, and its longevity which predates the Paralympics, athletes often face financial hurdles. In the United Kingdom, athletes have to pay for their training, travel, and accommodation, just to represent their country. Indeed, sport is built on the foundations of fairness and inclusion, but the Deaflympics highlights this isn’t always the case. Unlike the Olympic and Paralympic games, athletes receive little to no government support, despite the UK government investing an estimated £232 million in elite support for Paris 2024.
Here at Signature, we wish all the athletes the best of luck at this year’s Summer Deaflympics. The events celebrate the Deaf community and act as a stage to inspire future generations to get involved in sport while challenging societal stereotypes. It is so important that we support these athletes and champion their efforts.