Deaflympic Games

History of the competition

The Deaflympics are the second oldest international multi-sport event in the world, having begun in Paris in 1924, attended by 145 athletes from nine European nations. Held every 4 years, the Deaflympics were the first international Sports event for athletes with hearing impairment.

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", and occasionally referred to as the "World Silent Games". From 2000, the games have been known by their current name "Deaflympics".

The twentieth edition of Deaflympics Games held in Melbourne, Australia, in 2005, brought together 3.200 athletes and officials from 67 nations.

Portugal first participated in the Deaflympics Games in its seventeenth edition in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1993, with nine athletes.

To qualify for the Games, athletes must have a hearing loss of at least 55 db in their "better ear". Hearing aids, cochlear implants and the like are not allowed to be used in competition.

 

Deaflympics – TAIPEI 2009

The Deaflympics Taipei 2009, took place from 5-15 September 2009.

The Portugal Paralympic Committee is the entity responsible for the Portuguese Deaflympics Mission.

Portugal competed in Taipei 2009 in eight sports: Athletics, Bowling, Judo, Karate, Freestyle Wrestling, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Swimming, Taekwondo.

 

Official Website: http://english.2009deaflympics.org/