The EDSO was founded in Antibes, Frances on 7th July 1983, with Belgium as one of the founders, by Boudewyn De Roose.
The EDSO is a non-profit organization and is the representative organization for European Deaf Sports, and to award, supervise and assist in the European Deaf Championships and European Deaf Youth Championships. The EDSO shall provide sports program for deaf athletes and in Europe in accordance with the needs and wishes of EDSO members. The EDSO will promote ethics and good governance in Deaf Sports, in accordance with the ICSD Code of Ethics, IOC’s and GAISF’s Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance, and WADA’s Anti-Doping Code, and ensure that the spirit of fair play prevails.
Other objectives are:
The EDSO is a non-profit organization and is the representative organization for European Deaf Sports, and to award, supervise and assist in the European Deaf Championships and European Deaf Youth Championships. The EDSO shall provide sports program for deaf athletes and in Europe in accordance with the needs and wishes of EDSO members. The EDSO will promote ethics and good governance in Deaf Sports, in accordance with the ICSD Code of Ethics, IOC’s and GAISF’s Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance, and WADA’s Anti-Doping Code, and ensure that the spirit of fair play prevails.
Other objectives are:
- To promote participation from different countries or associations without discrimination for racial, religious, age, economic, gender, disability or sexual orientation reasons.
- To assist and encourage development of sports programs for deaf people where needed, and particularly when such needs occur within European borders.
- To contribute to the development and strengthening of friendly relations and enhance understanding among deaf sports participants in Europe.
- To ratify and promote international and regional deaf sporting events.
- To encourage and support initiatives that blend sport with deaf culture, identity and education.
- To harmonize relations in Deaf Sports by sharing ideas and knowledge.
- To protect clean athletes and the integrity of Deaf Sports by supporting the fight against doping.
- To coordinate the calendar of international and regional deaf sporting events.
- To plan and hold conferences and seminars on topics of common interests of its membership.
Belgium is a founding member of EDSO. Every 2 years there is an European Congress. The last Congress took place in Mechelen (2022), with the help of BDC (Belgian Deafsport Committee).
EDSO has in total 47 members all in Europe.
Des championnats d'Europe sont organisés dans différents sports.
Office: European Deaf Sport Organization, Wetstraat 26/15, 1040 Brussels (België)
