Deaf sports have the longest tradition as an organized movement. The first international sporting event for deaf athletes was the International Silent Games. Held only a few weeks after the 1924 Paris Summer Olympics. Evolving into the “World Games for the Deaf”, in 2001 they decided to rebranded the competition as the “Deaflympics.”
In 1949, follow the WWII war time interruption, saw the competitions adding the Winter Games at Seefeld, Austria. The Deaflympics have been held uninterruptedly ever since. This gives them the honor of being the longest running disability sports event.
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The American Athletic Union of the Deaf was established in 1945. Providing a central governing body for all deaf sport organizations and competitions was the idea at the time. The name was officially changed to the USADSF in 1997.
Deaf sport organizations provide deaf and hard of hearing athletes with opportunities to compete. Recreational, amateur or master levels, a equal opportunity is give to compete with their own peers.
The primary responsibilities of the USADSF are:
- To regulate uniform rules of competition for affiliated national sport organizations,
- Facilitate the participation of US teams in international competition, and
- To promote human rights and equity through sports.
In sports accommodations are easily overlooked or forgotten because hearing loss creates disadvantages that are not as obvious as others disabilities. Deaf athletes benefit from adaptations that are unique to their needs. Accommodations include light flashing system instead of starting guns or buzzers, and officials employ hand signals and flags instead of whistles. 
Full access to communication is also a critical factor in the success of any athlete. Deaf sports strives to meet all competitors needs and all participants have full access to communication.
Deaf sport clubs also function as a social outlet for both members of the Deaf community and people with assorted forms of hearing loss who may have been unaware of the Deaf community. The shared interest in sports brings together all kinds of D/deaf, hard of hearing, hearing impaired people and creates new opportunities for friendship and networking within the greater deaf and hard of hearing community.
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The Summer Games first held as the International Silent Games shortly after the Paris Summer Olympics in 1924. Evolving into the “World Games for the Deaf” before being rebranded “Deaflympics,” in 2001. In 1949 the games expanded adding the Winter Games in Seefeld, Austria.
The CISS, “Le Comité International des Sports Silencieux” (The International Committee of Silent Sports) formed in 1924 and tasked with holding the games every four years. CISS recently renamed itself: “Le Comité International des Sports des Sourds” (The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf), the present day ICSD.
The International Olympic Committee admitted the CISS in 1955 as an International Federation with Olympic standing. The flag of the IOC has flown next to the flag representing CISS/ICSD at the Summer/Winter Deaflympics since 1985.
Athletic participation in the Deaflympics has continually grown over the years to over 83 nations.
We cherish the value the spirit of Deaflympics where Deaf athletes strive to reach the pinnacle of competition. We embrace the motto of PER LUDOS AEQUALITAS (Equality through sports) and adhere to the ideals of Olympics.
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The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) is the main governing body responsible for the organization of Deaflympics and other World Deaf Championships. The Deaflympics have a unique feature among all other IOC-sanctioned games. The members of the community they serve exclusively handle the organization and operations . Eligibility to serve on the ICSD board and executive bodies is restricted to the deaf community.
Founded in 1924 and known as the CISS (Comité International des Sports des Sourds), the ICSD is now approaching the century mark. Our organization builds, evolves and fortifies the tradition of inviting deaf/hard of hearing elite athletes from all of the world to come together. Not only to compete in their respective sports, but also to develop comradeships between their countries.
The objects of the Mission Statement are to:
- Supervise the organization of successful Summer and Winter Deaflympics.
- Promote and contribute to the development of sport opportunities and competitions, from grass-root to elite level, for Deaf athletes.
- Support and encourage educational, cultural, research and scientific activities that contribute to the development and promotion of the Deaflympics.
- Fully enforce a drug-free sport environment for all Deaf athletes in conjunction with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
- Promote sports for Deaf athletes without discrimination for political, religious, economic, disability, gender or race reasons.
In sum, the mission is to create:
- More and better athletes with higher standards for excellence
- A significant level of international recognition
- An increased and sound budget
- An efficient and effective organization
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https://panamdes.com/ (Spanish and English language website)
Pan American Sports Committee for the Deaf (COPANDES) was founded December 8, 1971 in Buenos Aires Argentina. The organization was inactive from 1975 to 1994. CISS Vice-President John M. Lovett and Secretariat Donalda Ammons met with representatives from 4 countries in Caracas, Venezuela in 1994. Resulting in the re-establishment of the organization as the of Pan American Sports for the Deaf (PANAMDES).
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