Sports and Recreation Committee of the Deaf

Deaflympic Games 2005

Melbourne welcomes the world’s best deaf athletes in glittering opening ceremony

Olympic Park was the backdrop for the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne Deaflympic Games 2005.

In front of an audience of over 5,000 people from 94 countries, the celebration kicked off with a colourful parade of over 3,500 athletes who completed in 15 sports from 5 to 16 January 2005.

The program included a moving tribute to Mr John Lovett, a long-time advocate for Deaf Sports in Australia, and the President of Comité International des Sports des Sourds (CISS – The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf) until his untimely death in 2003.

Bowling Team from Singapore

The games were built on 80 years of tradition. Organised since 1924 by the CISS, the first games were held in Paris. Winter Games were added in 1949.

The Deaflympic Games are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, IOC. The need for separate games for deaf athletes is not just evident in the numbers of participants. Deaf athletes are distinguished from all others in their special communication needs on the sports field, as well as in the social interaction that is an equally vital part of games. Visual cues such as lights and flags assist athletes compete without communication barriers. The event is the pinnacle of sporting success for the international deaf community.

Closing Ceremony

For 3,500 athletes and 1,700 volunteers, 12 days of elite competition came to an end in a celebration of sport, friendship, triumph, endeavour and new world records. Presentations included “signing” choirs accompanying singers, international performance groups and a “handover ceremony” between Melbourne and Taipei, the nation to next host the Deaflympic Games in 2009.

Singapore Ten-pin Deaflympians in action

Singapore Deaflympians participated in the single, double, triple and team of 5. Though they did not win any medals, they were very much enriched by the experience of competing against various strong opponents. The bowlers hope to perform better at the 21^st Deaflympic Games 2009 in Taipei.

SRCD would like to thank Singapore Disability Sports Council for the support rendered in this event.

Singapore participated in Bowling Event @ Deaflympics in Melbourne