ICSD Pursuing Legal Action Following Failure of 17th Winter Deaflympics

Vysoké Tatry, SVK - As the ICSD continues to do its utmost to resolve the crisis in Slovakia, ICSD President Craig Crowley and the ICSD Executive Board acknowledged the messages received from members of the Deaf sports community around the world. 

"We understand the deep distress and anguish everyone is feeling about the failure of the 17th Winter Deaflympics. We are devastated by it," commented Crowley.  "Many of us have long-term involvement in the Deaflympics, we can relate to the hard work all of the athletes put into their training and the hard work of the National Deaf Sports Federations, to fund participation in the 17th Winter Deaflympics. We want to express our deep disappointment with the failure," added Crowley.

The ICSD has already filed a criminal complaint against the Slovakian Deaflympics Organizing Committee and its President Mr. Jaromir Ruda. The criminal complaint demands reimbursement of the funds that were transferred to the Slovakian Deaflympics Organizing Committee from national deaf sports federations, to cover hotel accommodations and other Deaflympics-related expenses. The criminal complaint also addresses further expenses incurred as a direct result of the failure of the 17th Winter Deaflympics.

The Slovakia Deaflympic Committee and the Slovakia Association of Deaf Sportsmen Unions are immediately suspended on a provisional basis, pending the final approval of Congress for which we are already making plans.

Embassy consular services are able to help their citizens here in Slovakia. With the ICSD having a UK President and a US Chief Executive, ICSD has been able to enlist the support of UK and US consular support in pursuing legal and financial remedies. "We have provided all 58 national deaf sports federations due to be in Slovakia with the means to enlist the support of their Embassies' consular services too, in support of the claim filed by ICSD on behalf of all involved," commented Crowley.

ICSD expects that individual athletes, officials, families and fans may wish to contact their national deaf sports federations, to see how they too can help generate pressure on Slovakian authorities, via the relevant Embassies.

"Rest assured that we remain devastated by the failure of the 17th Winter Deaflympics. We are working as hard as possible to remedy the situation," added Crowley.