Swimming & Water Polo

Hello,

It was enjoyable serving and participating at the 2007 Salt Lake City Winter Deaflympics. Praise goes to ICSD and the SLC Organizing Committee for the successful event. I look forward to 2009 Taipei Summer Deaflympics.

Swimming

In the last two years, 2005 and 2006, three (3) swimmers were selected as the ICSD Sportsperson of the year. Björn Koch of Germany and Anna Polivanchuk of Sweden received beautiful awards and honors at the recent ICSD Congress in Salt Lake City. Scott Prosser will receive his award in Australia. Congratulations!

2007 World Deaf Swimming Championships - Please check the web site, http://w2007.ncpes.edu.tw/index.htm for details and updates. Final entries are due 27 July 2007.  Twenty-two (22) countries have registered and more are welcome and encouraged to come. For delegates and officials, this will be a good opportunity to visit Taipei, 9-18 August, to inspect and prepare for T2009 Games and represent your country in swimming competition.

2011 World Deaf Swimming Championships -It's official, Portugal will host the third (3rd) World Deaf Swimming Championships in Lisbon, 7-14 August 2011. Thank you LPDS and Portugal!

Water Polo

2009 Summer Deaflympics - Seven (7) teams have registered for Men's Water Polo. This is good and I anticipate water polo will continue to grow onto the 2013 Summer Deaflympic Games in Greece and beyond. In just over two years we will meet and compete in the new pool in Taipei. Please start preparing your team roster, training, and fundraising. The largest water polo competition was held over twenty years ago, 1985 Los Angeles Summer Deaflympics, with seven (7) teams entered. Let's strive for all eight (8) teams in Taipei! Unfortunately, Women Water Polo is cancelled. We need a few more national women water polo programs for future competitions in 2011 and 2013.

2011 World Deaf Water Polo Championships - One (1) country has expressed interest in hosting this competition. ICSD is still requesting nations to bid and host this event in 2011. Please contact me for assistance or dialogue.

See you in August in Taipei!

Aquatically yours,

Reed Gershwind
ICSD Technical Director - Swimming & Water Polo