Britain cuts funding for deaf athletes
June 9th, 2008
From the [UK] Times:
British medal contenders say they may not be able to compete in the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei because the British government has diverted their funding to the nation’s London 2012 Olympic team. They say the decision could further marginalize the nine million people in Britain who have a hearing loss. Deaf athletes cannot compete at the Paralympics because no other nation sends a deaf team to those games.
The Deaflympics was established in 1924 by nine European nations, including Britain. At its 2005 games in Australia, 2,200 athletes from 67 countries took part.
“It would be embarrassing if the Deaf Olympic Games, which Britain helped to found, had no Britain team,” said Philip Gerrard, chairman of the Great Britain Deaflympics Organizing Committee. “It would cause so much damage to the deaf community and our profile worldwide.”
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June 18th, 2008 at 8:29 am
The capability and competency of Deaf sports people cannot be questioned. Physically and mentally, they are at par or even more capable with Normal hearing people but undoubtedly the Deaf have a high concentration level in comparison to a normal hearing person as they are not distracted with the surrounding noise.
Deaf people have the gift of very sharp eyes and a very sharp brain. They are very vigilant with the surrounding movements and their mind always tries to find out, anticipate and read the meaning of others’ body language. It is only the curse of a Communication Barrier which creates obstacles in their ways of success. Deaf people have lots of energy and talent and this energy shall not be wasted. If we will be successful in removing this obstacle from their way, I am sure that nothing can stop a deaf sports person.
It is really unfortunate that the government of such a developed country would have such narrow thought for the Deaf sports person. They should send the team of Normal sports persons in 2012 Olympics but not at the cost of Deaflympics 2009.