Interim President Message

This marks the last time I will write for E-News as Interim President.  Serving in this capacity has been a humbling experience for me.  It also afforded me with an opportunity to meet and develop a good working relationship with many exceptional individuals from all over the world.  It is good to see that they hold high aspirations and practice true Olympic ideals. 

Tiffany Granfors, our Administrator, has finally returned home a few weeks ago from a fourteen month study in Lausanne, Switzerland for her master's degree in Sport Administration and Technology.  Tiffany performed brilliantly during her internship at the International Olympic Committee in the Olympic Games Department under the supervision of Mr. Gilbert Felli.  We are very fortunate to have Tiffany come back with a wealth of knowledge and experience, which will definitely help DEAFLYMPICS for many years to come. 

I also would like to congratulate Bulgarian Deaf Sports Federation for hosting a successful deaf world wrestling championship in Sofia the first week of October. In this issue, you will find a detailed report from Mr. Mehmet Bilgili, technical director of wrestling. 

The countdown for the 20th Deaflympic Games is now in two digits- Today is only 44 days away from the first day of the Games.  M2005, the organizing committee, has been working round the clock with over 1700 enthusiastic volunteers.  Ticket sales are moving ahead at a tremendous rate, so I strongly encourage families and friends of athletes to buy tickets online before they are sold out! 

I will leave for Melbourne on December 6th to be part of M2005's final phase of Games planning.  Please remember that the final entry forms are due 1 DECEMBER 2004.  No late entries will be accepted.  FAX the forms to M2005 in Melbourne, not to DEAFLYMPICS office in Frederick, Maryland.  The fax number is +61 3 9649 7077. 

See you soon in the land of OZ! And I send my best wishes to all athletes and officials.

Donalda Ammons