CISS 75th Anniversary Gala

CISS celebrated their 75^th birthday with a gala on Monday, March 8. The CISS Executive Board, delegates, special guests, and athletes of the year joined President John Lovett in celebrating 75 years of deaf internationally organized sports. With Jerald Jordan as the Master of Ceremonies, the audience was entertained with a slide show, showing highlights of 75 years of CISS. We saw photos of all officers of the Executive committee in the last 75 years, photos of all flyers of the games, and many photos of different athletes particpating in different sports. The slide show brought old and fond memories for some people who have been involved in CISS for a long time.

Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year were announced. Canada's Dawn Birley and Barbara O'Donnell shared the Sportswoman of the Year honors, while Jan Stienstra of the Netherlands garnered the Sportsman of the Year honor.

After dinner and the slide show, many countries presented gifts to CISS. President Lovett accepted all the gifts on behalf of CISS. Gold plates, gold candlesticks, fine fabrics, chocolate, wine, glass figurines, and plagues were some of the gifts that were presented to CISS. All gifts will be displayed in CISS’s museum in Rome, Italy.

CISS presented gifts to everyone at the gala- a 75 years of CISS silver keychain, a CISS magnet, and two CISS pins.