ICSD are the governing body for the Deaflympics which are currently the most high profile event for deaf athletes.

The Deaflympics were first held in Paris in 1924 and are now held every four years but deaf athletes have never been a part of the Paralympic Games themselves.

Crowley feels this may change but that such an occurrence will only happen if the ICSD and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) work much closer together.

"Deaf sport has reached an interesting period," Crowley told insideworldparasport.

"We are definitely moving forward but the key for us is to build relationships with other organisations, particularly the IPC, in order to help us grow.

"We must raise our profile and I believe that connecting more closely with the IPC will help us do that.

"Networking events such as SportAccord have provided us with opportunities to speak with the IPC as I have had the chance to sit down and discuss important topics with the IPC President Sir Philip Craven.

"We have discussed how our organisations can work together more closely and how we can help each other."

In 1924 in Paris, France, 148 athletes from nine European nations took part in the Deaflympics.

In 2009, the 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei, Chinese Taipei, 2,493 athletes from 77 countries participated.

Today, 104 national deaf sports federations are members of the ICSD.

"We have not got as far as discussing whether deaf sport could appear at the Paralympic Games because I think that is still some way off," said Crowley (pictured with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge). 

"However, we cannot rule out that happening at some point in the future as it is certainly a possibility.

"But right now, we just need to focus on maintaining and building on our current relationship with the IPC.

"Sir Philip was very interested to hear about how we are continuing to develop as a Movement and very keen for the IPC to support us as we move forward.

"As I said, we did not discuss deaf sport joining the Paralympics specifically but those discussions may happen down the line if everything is okay from both sides and the relationship between the ICSD and the IPC continues to grow."

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