Why do so many people not know about Deaflympics?

Photo by Amada MA on Unsplash

I grew up watching the Olympics. After watching the Olympics 2024, I’ve always wondered why the Deaflympics (Deaf Olympics) are not internationally televised as the Paralympics for as long as I can remember.

Yesterday, I spontaneously tweeted about this lack of media coverage on the Deaflympics issue.

According to the Deaflympics website, Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will be the 100th anniversary commemorative Games and will be held for the first time in Japan.

Sarah Reighley (@itssarahjanee) provided important information for readers to consider the factors about why the Deaflympics is still not internationally televised.

She noted that the Deaflympics started in 1924 which is 28 years after the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896, following the establishment of the IOC, while the Paralympics began in 1960. Yet, the Paralympics receive far more attention, funding, and coverage than the Deaflympics.

Here’s the information she shared below:

The Paralympics do not have a category for Deaf athletes. Apparently, due to communication barriers, Deaf athletes would need multiple interpreters. They said this could separate them from hearing athletes, which goes against the purpose of the Games, which is to bring people together.

The lack of broadcasting for the Deaflympics compared to the Paralympics stems from several factors:

Several Deaf organizations have made efforts to bring more attention to the Deaflympics:

1. International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD): The ICSD, which organizes the Deaflympics, has been actively working to promote the event globally. They have engaged in advocacy, partnerships, and social media campaigns to increase visibility.
2. National Deaf Sports Federations: Various national Deaf sports federations work within their countries to raise awareness of the Deaflympics. They often collaborate with local media, governments, and educational institutions to promote Deaf athletes and the games.
3. World Federation of the Deaf (WFD): While the WFD primarily focuses on broader issues affecting Deaf communities, they have supported initiatives to highlight the importance of the Deaflympics and the achievements of Deaf athletes.
4. Social Media Campaigns: Deaf athletes, supporters, and organizations have used social media platforms to share stories, highlight achievements, and advocate for greater recognition and coverage of the Deaflympics. Jackie Chan was an ambassador for the Deaflympics 2009 in Taipei, Taiwan. link to Deaf Education Without Border*
5. Collaborations with Other Organizations: There have been efforts to collaborate with larger sports and disability organizations to amplify the visibility of the Deaflympics. For example, joint initiatives with the Paralympics or the Olympics have been explored to help raise the profile of the Deaflympics.

Despite these efforts, the Deaflympics still struggle with the same level of attention and funding that the Paralympics receive. Continued advocacy and public support are essential to bridging this gap.

Here are some reasons why these efforts might not be as visible:

1. Limited Resources: Deaf organizations often operate with fewer resources compared to larger sports organizations, making it harder to run extensive campaigns or secure significant media attention.
2. Media Coverage: Mainstream media tends to prioritize events with higher viewership potential, and the Deaflympics hasn’t garnered the same level of interest as the Paralympics or Olympics, leading to less coverage.
3. Advocacy Challenges: While there are efforts to promote the Deaflympics, the challenges of advocating for equal recognition in a world where the Paralympics and Olympics dominate can make progress slow and difficult to notice.
4. Niche Audience: The Deaflympics caters specifically to the Deaf community, which is a smaller audience compared to those involved in the Paralympics. This can make it harder to attract broader public interest.

Sarah provided detailed information to clarify why the Deaflympics are not perceived or treated as an extension of the Olympics, similar to how the Paralympics are.

The international media coverage of Deaflympics not only benefits larger Deaf communities but also shows the world that Deaf athletes can be and are Olympians, just like others.