The Deaflympics is the general designation for the Olympic Games for the deaf. These also consist of separate Summer and Winter Games, and are held every four years in the odd-numbered years each, in the year after the corresponding regular Olympic Games.
Held every four years, the Deaflympics is the second longest-running multi-sport event in history after the Olympics.
The first games, held in Paris in 1924, were the first ever international sporting event for athletes with disabilities. The event has been held every four years since then, apart from a break due to World War II in 1940. In 1949, the Deaflympic Winter Games, was organised for the first time.
Officially, the games were originally called the International Games for the Deaf from 1924 to 1965. From 1966 to 1999, they were called the World Games for the Deaf. From 2001, the event was called Deaflympics (Deaflympics), under IOC (International Olympic Committee) approval.
The 2021 Summer Games was postponed for a year due to the global covid-19 pandemic. This was because otherwise, the Summer Deaflympics would come out in the same year as the also postponed Olympics and Paralympics in 2020.
Held every four years, the Deaflympics is the second longest-running multi-sport event in history after the Olympics.
The first games, held in Paris in 1924, were the first ever international sporting event for athletes with disabilities. The event has been held every four years since then, apart from a break due to World War II in 1940. In 1949, the Deaflympic Winter Games, was organised for the first time.
Officially, the games were originally called the International Games for the Deaf from 1924 to 1965. From 1966 to 1999, they were called the World Games for the Deaf. From 2001, the event was called Deaflympics (Deaflympics), under IOC (International Olympic Committee) approval.
The 2021 Summer Games was postponed for a year due to the global covid-19 pandemic. This was because otherwise, the Summer Deaflympics would come out in the same year as the also postponed Olympics and Paralympics in 2020.
Did you know that Belgium WILL NOT RECOGNISE these Deaflympics ?
We ask that both the Flemish government and the Walloon government recognise the Deaflympics and other deaf sports at various levels and provide sufficient structural and, above all, financial support to the deaf athletes representing our country.
The BDC regularly requests financial support for the participation of their deaf athletes in various sporting events, including the Deaflympics. This is usually met with a negative response as the Deaflympics are not recognised in the highest category. The BOIC's financial intervention is only a partial intervention for travel and accommodation during the Deaflympics, which adversely affects our delegation of deaf athletes in the various sporting events worldwide.
Recognition of the Deaflympics
The media in Flanders & Wallonia also pay little attention to Deaf sports compared to abroad, where Deaf sports federations are treated equally to their Olympic and Paralympic counterparts. The BDC calls for equal recognition for the Deaflympics as for the Paralympics, and optimal support for participants in their participation and selection for the Deaflympics.
History of all Deaflympics
Below under ‘Past Events’ you can find all results & details about the various Deaflympics held in Deaf sports history. Among others, these Deaflympics were organised in Brussels in 1953!
So scroll down quickly ...
