Report from Sports Director
Pre-Site Inspection at Taipei / Taiwan, 20-24 April
From the 20 to 24 of April 2007 Tiffany and I had a Pre- Site Inspection for 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei / Taiwan. We were warmly welcomed by the organizing committee for the 2009 Summer Deaflympics. There were a lot of sport sites and places to be viewed. We did a pre-site inspection to provide the committee with feedback on whether or not all 19 Deaflympics disciplines are available to take place and if all sport sites meet the international standards and are in good condition. Up to now we are pleased with their progress and their timeline and had provided them with a lot of feedback for improvements to prepare them for official site inspection next year with our 19 Technical Directors of ICSD. This official site inspection shall take place fall of 2008.
SportAccord - GAISF at Beijing / China, 24-28 April
After visiting Taipei / Taiwan for the Sport Site Inspection, Tiffany and I, flew to Beijing / China to the SportAccord and GAISF Assembly from the 24th to the 28th of April 2007. SportAccord is a big international sports conference bringing more than 100 international sports federations every year. There are three major groups of key players; GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), and AIOWF (Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations) also there are many other people attending the conference such as sponsors, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters and other specialists to discuss the key issues facing the sports industry.
The SportAccord conference is a grand event, but this year was an unusual year for us, We weren’t accompanied by a sign language interpreter, so we had some communication barrier unfortunately. In China it is very difficult to find an international sign language interpreter. Therefore my big request to the SportAccord/GAISF is to provide us with an international sign language interpreter and pay all costs. This would be very helpful and important, because both of us, ICSD and SportAccord, would like to take part in all conversations. Communication should be worldwide.
We were very pleased with the Organizing Committee 2009 Summer Deaflympics of Taipei / Taiwan. They had a booth at SportsAccord. A lot of people attended their booth to get information about the 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei / Taiwan. I have some ideas for our future exhibitors... I believe the three, 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei / Taiwan, 2011 Winter Deaflympics in High Tatras / Slovakia and 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Athens / Greece, could be exhibited together with SportAccord in Athens / Greece next year in 2008. Therefore we could split the costs in 3 parts. Tiffany and I will try to speak to the Deaf Sport Federation in Taiwan, Slovakia and Greece about the idea of a shared exhibition at the SportAccord 2008 2-6 June in Athens / Greece. This would be a great advertisement for our deaf sports world.
Dresse and Maere Cup in Munich / Germany, 21-28 July
We had some wonderful days during the Dresse Cup and Maere Tennis Cup in Munich. The matches were full of surprises; this made the games very exciting. The opponents have improved their skills. At the Dresse Cup (Men), Austria won surprisingly but deserved it nonetheless. Bravo!!! For the second place, also as a surprise; the Netherlands. The third place winner was Germany. At the Maere Cup (Women) Taiwan won unexpectedly. Bravo!!! They defeated the defending champion- Germany. The third place finish went to Spain, after defeating Great Britain. For more articles, photos, and results of this event, please visit - http://www.dresse-maere-cup2007.de
Dresse and Maere Cup regulations and tennis ranking points have finally been developed and ratified after many years of hard work. Click here
for current tennis world rankings and click here for Dresse and Maere Cup regulations.
Audiogram
Audiograms are a very important subject for Deaf Sports. I ask all National Deaf Sport Federations to reivew Audiogram Regulations carefully. Before entering the Regional Championships, World Championships, Summer/Winter Deaflympics, it is necessary to present our Audiograms, before receiving access. Only with permission by the ICSD Office sport teams may participate. Without the Audiogram athletes will be prohibited to participate.
Technical Director
We are looking for a Technical Director for Cross Country Skiing. Applicants may contact (Tiffany Granfors - info@ciss.org or Josef Willmerdinger - willmerdinger@ciss.org). Click here to see the current TD listing.
Winter Deaflympics Searching for New Sport Category
We would like to introduce new categories for the Winter Deaflympics. I have Biathlon or Speed Skating in mind. Of course we can only introduce new categories which are found in the Olympic Winter Games. To include these new categories at the Winter Deaflympics, we have to try them at the world championships first, in order to check their skills and readiness for the Winter Deaflympics.
Calendar
In 2007 we have remaining 2 World Championships to participate:
Badminton - 28 September - 7 October, Mühlheim, Germany
Futsal - 8-18 November, Sofia, Bulgaria
In 2008 we have 7 World Championships to participate:
Martial Arts - 21-26 May, Toulouse, France
Table Tennis - 1-12 June, Sofia, Bulgaria
Football - 1-12 July, Katerini, Greece
Volleyball - 1-10 August, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Wrestling - 14-22 September, Yerevan, Armenia
Athletics - 22-28 September, Caracas, Venezuela
Golf - 28 September - 4 October, Perth, Australia
Click here for other events.
Host and Fees for World Deaf Championships
Some Deaf Sport Federations ask me for how to host the Deaf World Championships, please view - http://www.deaflympics.com/about/index.asp?DID=543 and look under WC2. BIDDING PROCEDURES.
Till now, for deaf world championships, we do not have a standard fee structure for individual registration, participation fee and penalty until the next ICSD Congress in 2009 at Taipei.
Regards,
Josef Willmerdinger
ICSD Sport Director