The first Deaflympics were held in Paris in 1924 while the most recent Summer Deaflympics were staged in Chinese Taipei in 2009 and saw 2,493 athletes from 77 countries participate.

However the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), the governing body for the Deaflympics, has revealed that there is growing doubt over the staging of the next three competitions.

Athens was scheduled to host the next Deaflympics in 2013 but an ICSD statement revealed that "there has been no Organising Committee in Athens since 2009.

"With no formal expression of Government support for hosting the Deaflympics, conditions are not favourable.

"The Greek Government expects to make a final announcement in the days or weeks ahead and alternative host cities are being sought and seriously considered."

Vancouver was down to host the next Winter Deaflympics in 2015 but the organising committee has dissolved and the Canadian Deaf Sports Association has formally handed back the right to host the 2015 Winter Deaflympics, meaning that the bidding will be reopened.

Meanwhile, with bidding still open for the 2017 Deaflympics, the ICSD understands that the Mayor of Barcelona has declined to commit to financial support for hosting the event there.

The bid has not formally announced its withdrawal and officials are awaiting the outcome of the municipal elections held in the city earlier this week.

Buenos Aires in Argentina remains a bidder and a vote is expected at the ICSD Congress in Rome on September 13-15.

These developments come off the back of the cancellation of the 2011 Winter Deaflympics, which were set to be held in Vysoké Tatry in Slovakia, before they pulled out and ICSD President Craig Crowley admitted that the future of the Movement is heading for a crisis.

"ICSD fully understands the concerns of deaf athletes around the world when it comes to the future of the Deaflympics," said Crowley.

"Deaf sport is now faced with some immense challenges, due to decisions made as long as four years ago.

"The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: ICSD will need the support of partners throughout the sports world.

"And we'll need the continued efforts of every ICSD member country in order to overcome these challenges."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2011: Exclusive - Deaf sport sets sights on building bridges with Paralympic Movement