The Deaflympic Games is the second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival in history with the first games being held in Paris 1924. The Games are overseen by the world governing body of deaf sports, ICSD, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

Great Britain has entered a team at every Deaflympic Games and is hoping to send a team of 100 to the 2009 Deaflympics which are to be held in Taipei, Taiwan. The event itself takes place over the course of 12 days in September 2009 and some 3,500 athletes from 75 countries are expected to participate in 17 different sports, all of which follow the international rules of their respective governing bodies.

UK Deaf Sport has charged the Great Britain Deaflympic Organising Committee with the task of co-ordinating Great Britain’s entry for the Taipei Games. It is estimated that £500,000 is required to prepare and send a team to the Games. Unfortunately, unlike many British Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Britain’s Deaf athletes receive no form of aid from the Government for training and there is no funding in sight to enable their participation at the Games.

Attendance at the Deaflympics is widely considered to be the pinnacle of a Deaf athlete’s sporting career so your generous contribution will really make a difference!!