Who said we were Paralympians?

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Ian Herbert of The Independent has come up with his own alternative of the BBC Sports personality of the Year Award.

Whilst he has correctly and justifiably recognised the courageous and inspiring exploits of Gerry Hughes and his solo-circumnavigation of the globe this year he has unfortunately succumbed to the urban myth that Gerry is a Paralympic athlete.

The Deaf community knows that this is the incorrect title because there is no category for Deaf athletes in the Paralympics and that the Deaflympics are recognised by the IOC and the IPC as the equivalent event to the Paralympics.

So why does the media continue to make the same mistake over and over? One of the reasons for this is that the IOC and the IPC have a monopoly on ‘Disability Sport’ that gave birth to the urban myth of Deaf sport and the Paralympics in the ‘early days’ when they self-appointed themselves as guardians of all sport for disabled people. Over the last couple of decades, when the media has incorrectly attributed Deaf athletes to the Paralympics, nobody has corrected them.

Whose fault is that? Who should be scanning the media to make sure that the urban myth is not given life-blood? Should it be the ICSD and its national representatives? The problem is – resources – and motivation. Firstly, the IOC has been supporting the IPC with millions of dollars each year to enable them to appoint staff and promote the Paralympics. the ICSD cannot compete with this because the IOC who, for some unknown reason has decided that despite recognising the Deaflympics as an event as equal in stature to the Paralympics only provides a very small amount of funds.

The second problem for this, partly lies at the door of Deaf sport itself because its own motivation has been to continue to declare that Deaf people are not disabled. When the IPC was established, it was done so to govern disability sport under the IOC. The CISS agreed be a founder of the IPC on condition that it was able to continue to organise the World Games for the Deaf, which at the time was recognised as an Olympic -status event by the IOC. Almost immediately,  national organisations began to create problems for Deaf sport by not recognising the World games for the Deaf. The  motivation behind the establishment of the IPC for the majority of its members, was to get the fledgling Paralympics accepted by the IOC. They saw it as essential that the CISS should join them to give their cause credence.

For a few short years, the IPC was the governor of ‘disability sport’. But noting was done at the beginning to make sure that people respected the status of the World games for the Deaf and as a consequence the CISS and now the ICSD has been struggling.

In retrospect, when it withdrew from the IPC, the CISS should have insisted that the IOC and IPC make a declaration that the IPC was no longer the overall governor of Disability Sport, things might have turned out differently. Eventually, the IPC dropped the ‘disabled governance’ mantle and now correctly declare themselves to be the ‘global governing body of the Paralympic Movement”.

But this message has not been getting through to the media and the public at large. Deaf sport needs volunteers to come forwards and help to raise the media profile of the Deaflympic Movement.

If you are media savvy, media motivated and want to make a contribution to society – please get in touch with me at UK Deaf Sport as we really could do with your help to raise the media profile of the Deaflympic Movement here in the UK and overseas.

Ooops! I have made a mistake ! We not allowed to use derivatives of the word Deaflympic (Deaflympic Movement, Deaflympian, National Deaflympic Committee etc). The IOC only allows us to use the term Deaflympic in the title of the event itself…

That is why Ian Herbert should recognise Gerry Hughes as “The Disabled Sports Personality of 2013”

 

 

Are We Going to the Paralympics?

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Since the media misquoted IPC president Sir Philip Craven recently over reports that Deaf sports would be in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics I have been asked what is going on.

When i first read Craven’s comments I was doubtful about the accuracy of the report because those of us participating in international deaf sports politics know that the relationship between the IPC and the ICSD has not developed to the point where such agreements would be possible. 

The IOC recognises the Deaflympics as an event of equal status to the Paralympics. However, they have chosen, to put all their support, resources and energies behind the Paralympics and since 2001 the IOC and IPC have jointly organised their events together. This has meant millions of dollars from the IOC going into the IPC budget whilst a few thousands has been given to the ICSD.

A new book ‘Same Spirit, Different Team – The Politicalisation of the Deaflympics‘ will be available soon and will throw some light on the complex issues within the Olympic family of events, organisations and people. This book will be available from AD Books you can register for your copy here.Image

English translation of Interview with Valery Rukhledev

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Following on from our last post, wondering what the new ICSD President has planned for the future of the Deaflympics, we have created a link to the SportsMX interview with Valery Rukhledev here.

The video does not have subtitles to give accessibility so this blog will provide a very brief written translation of the new ICSD presidents goals for the future of ICSD and Deaf sport. We must bear in mind that there are many issues that Dr Rukhledev could have spoken about, but he was limited to a video interview.

In his first year he plans to selected the very best possible Technical Directors for each sport, people with extensive experience of their sports in order to improve the organisation of  deaf sports further.

2014 marks the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Deaflympic Movement and Rukhledev wants to celebrate this with the publication of a book that gives a very detailed history of the Deaflympics from 1924 – 2013.

For the long term, he also wants to base the ICSD office in Switzerland in order that ICSD can increase face to face communications with the IOC. In the past, meetings have been limited because of the costs of making arrangements to travel and timing of meetings due to ICSD offices being elsewhere (USA and UK). Being ‘local’ to the IOC, he hopes that this will increase the visibility of ICSD’s work to the attention of the IOC.

By continuing the dialogue with the IOC, the plan is for the Deaflympics to be supported on a par with the Paralympics.

Overall, Rukhledev wants to see deaf sport improve , become more visible, grow and develop – competitions like the Deaflympics and Deaf world championships to become more elite.

There needs to be more deaf children and young people involved in sport and he plans to approach UN organisations for funding

The underdevelopment of deaf sport in Africa, South America and the Arabic nations needs to be tackled.

Hopefully by the time of the 100th anniversary things will be much improved.

There is an expectation that Russia will be hosting the 2015 Winter Deaflympics but Rukhledev has not yet got supreme government approval for this event. Russian sponsorship of international sports events normally follows an 8-year bidding process and lead-in, and this is not possible for 2015. The venue is within the oil producing territories of Russia and it appears that organisations in the region have pledged their support for the event. Now all that remains is for ICSD to get Russian government approval which he hopes will be forthcoming now that he has a higher profile as the ICSD President. he anticipates making an announcement on the Winter Deaflympics within two months.

Finally, in response to some of the comments following our last blog, Valery Rukhledev has stated on video that he has no ‘russian mafia’ connections.

Why did you choose Rukhledev ?

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A few days ago, Valery Rukhledev of Russia narrowly removed Craig Crowley to become the new president of the ICSD. 

It is a bizarre result because Rukhledev made no public commitment of his intentions or vision for the future, so what exactly have people voted for?

Perhaps you voted for Rukhledev and you can explain ? 

I wait to hear from you.

 

 

What are we learning from the Russians?

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Eleven days ago I mentioned the three-way race for the Presidency of the ICSD, for the right to lead the Deaflympic movement for the next four years. 

At the time, we did not have much information from the Russian candidate Valery Rukhledev, that was, until yesterday, when there was a press release announcing that the Russian President Putin had given his support to Valery

Whilst it is  great to see a world leader of Putin’s standing recognise the importance of the Deaflympic games – we must not get  distracted.

We must focus on the real world and the real work at hand. We have an important decision to make and it must be made on the basis of a plan or manifesto that the candidate outlines for their term of office. Since my last blog, Barish has published his promise of “Global Change Through Sports” but, we still have nothing from Rukhledev, all we know is that just like Crowley and to some extent Barish he was an athlete and he has been a  leader for deaf -rights in his home country. But, what about his vision for global sport in relation to Deaf people? 

If you still have not made up your mind who you would vote for, here are the links to the candidates campaigns again.

Craig Crowley (GBR)

Valery Rukhledev (RUS)

Joel Barish (USA)

 

We only have eight days remaining before Congress make their decision, you the public can make your opinions known here. Your influence could make a difference. Let’s hear what you have to say.

Candidates for the ICSD Presidency

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In 19 days time, the Deaflympics  ICSD Congress will hold elections for its Presidency and other Executive positions.

The current president Craig Crowley (GBR) will be standing for re-election against two other candidates. Valery Rukhledev (RUS) and Joel Barish (USA)

The voting for Crowley and Rukhledev in 2009 was extremely close, with a single vote victory in favour of Crowley. This will be 64 year-old Rukhledev’s third and final attempt to get elected.

All three candidates will have an opportunity to address he ICSD Congress before voting to persuade ICSD members to vote for them.

Crowley and Barish have launched their election websites, where you can find more information.

Craig Crowley 

Joel Barish

I cannot find a website for Valery Rukhledev, so we will have to wait for Congress.

Although Barish and Rukhledev are not giving much away, Crowley has launched a manifesto as his statement of intent for his second term as president. This can be found on his website.

Extraordinarily, there are a total of 13 candidates for the Vice Presidency posts. 12 of these candidates have also put themselves forward as candidates for Member at Large, if they fail to be elected VP.

There are a total of 22 candidates competing for roles as members at Large on the ICSD Executive.

Details of all candidates can be found at the Deaflympics website

The ICSD legal commission have reminded candidates that there cannot be two people from the same nation on the Executive, therefore in the case of the USA, if one nominee is successfully elected, then the other nominee will become ineligible for election to another position that remains vacant.

Several nominees also serve as officers of their affiliated regional confederations and therefore, should then be successfully elected into the ICSD Executive they will have to resign from their current positions.

 

 

Two Big Ears writes in your language

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We have inserted a Translation button on the right hand column of this website so that anyone can translate this into their own language.

Click on the Translate button, you find this on the right hand side of this page.

On the new page, choose your language- don’t forget also to insert the website page http://www.twobigears.wordpress.com

Hopefully, this will help spread the word for more reading and collaborations.

Thank you.

PE and Deaf children

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Hello Readers,

Your Sign Language version here.

Lord Moynihan, outgoing Chair of  British Olympic Association is worried that poor quality PE lessons, lack of space on timetables means that a failure to provide “a ladder of opportunity” for children will lead to an increasingly wide gap to standards between state and independent schools.

Two Big Ears is concerned that this means a ‘double whammy’ of lost opportunity for deaf children in schools.

Moynihan says that primary school children are being taught PE by teachers who lack the expertise to deliver the subject because most primary teachers receive just six hours of training in sport at university or college. Two Big Ears would add that that means there is very little training to make teachers aware of the needs of deaf children in their classes. Two Big Ears suggests that schools should do more to link up with local community providers to help them deliver appropriate activity. Teachers of the Deaf are usually English and language specialist and very rarely have any skills or training towards PE or after-school sport, working with the local community will be of benefit to them.

Moynihan wants to see a greater range of activity such as dance to inspire children turned off by traditional team games. Deaf children would be further marginalised by this. We need to see an emphasis on accessible activities that are inclusive and are activities that children can continue with at home with siblings, friends and family. The fundamentals of physical exercise should be nurtured.

Lord Moynihan said the nation is failing to “identify and provide a ladder of opportunity and performance pathways for outstandingly talented kids in the state sector”

Deaf children at primary and secondary mainstream schools are marginalised from after-school clubs and activities because many of them are bussed or taxied to school and the transport service providers are not flexible enough to accommodate this. The problem lies with Local Education Authority budgets not enabling such resources to be used more flexibly. Deaf children who have talent will be missing out.

Schools need to welcome the support of specialist organisations in the community who can come in and work with staff and pupils to enable them to become aware of the sporting pathways and opportunities that exist NEARER to home instead of at school. This information also needs to reach parents of deaf children so that they can help in this process.

Over 90% of deaf children are educated in their ‘local’ mainstream school and will not be aware of sporting pathways available to them. Visits to every school at least once a year by organisations such as UK Deaf Sport or one of its many National Deaf Sports Organisations would help to bridge the gaps in knowledge, not just for deaf children but for all.

If you are concerned about what you read and would like to contribute your ideas, time or support in any other way, please contact Bryan Whalley  bdwhalley@o2.co.uk  Chair of the UK Deaf Sport sub-committee on PE & School Sport for Deaf children. This committee meets three or four times a year to feed information up to the decision makers at the Youth Sports Trust and also acts as a hub of information for PE staff, teachers, classroom assistants and parents worried about deaf children’s lack of opportunity in PE.

Sports Survey for Black & Ethnic Minority Deaf people in the UK.

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20th September 2012

Hello Readers!

It has been six days since our last post and Two Big Ears has been working hard dealing with a range of other potentially interesting posts to share with you. There are so many important topics to discuss, it is difficult to decide where to start next.

So, whilst we are still working away on some new posts, Two Big Ears would like you to help two excellent organisations here in the UK.

Action Deafness, in Leicester UK and Sporting Equals UK are collaborating on a research project into Black and Ethnic minority Deaf people and sport. Now unfortunately, at the moment, this research is only for UK residents.

However, my friends at Action Deafness will be very happy to share the results of the research with us when it is ready and perhaps we can all learn something from it.

I would like to see how powerful the internet is for Deaf people and how well we can reach people to fill in this form. If you are not a member of a Black or Ethnic minority in the UK, please pass it on to the right Deaf people and ask them to help out.

The questionnaire can be downloaded NOW, please send it back to the researchers by email and let them know you saw it on Two Big Ears!

The BBC Interview

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To round off the week, Two Big Ears would like to give you the transcript of last Sundays interview at the BBC, Sunday 8th September

The presenter was Jamie Coomarasamy.
It was a recorded interview, and I was joined by Rajeev Bagga and our interpreter Peter Shilston

JC: “…. One thing represented at the games, that is Hearing Impairments. Now you may be surprised to know that they have their own games – the Deaflympics. Stuart Harrison is Vice Chair of UK Deaf Sport who can tell me more about how they started.”

SH: ”The original Deaflympic games started as the “Silent Games” back in 1924 and they were set up at a time when society looked on Deaf people as being intelligently inferior, linguistically impoverished and outcasts. So what a group of Deaf sports men and women decided to do was to host an international games which mirrored the Olympics. So, that has been going on since 1924. Then, obviously, we then had the developments at Stoke Mandeville that was coming along with spinal-injury patients. In abut 1988, for about 5 years, the Deaflympic movement was in conversation with the International Paralympic Committee – they actually took part in the International Paralympic Committee because we thought that it might make economic sense to come together with the Paralympics. The conclusion we came to was that it was very difficult to incorporate the Deaflympics into the Paralympics because of the specific communication requirements for deaf athletes. The costs involved in providing interpreters and translators was just too prohibitive”

JC: “ I just seem to find that amazing because surely the costs, separate costs of the equipment which are needed for the athletes in the Paralympics must be equal or outweigh that for interpreters?”

SH: “Oh, absolutely that’s what frustrates us too. But you must understand that we, the Deaf community has enjoyed the Paralympics. So you are quite correct, the argument about costs – something could be done about it. The investment put into for example wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball in the UK, runs into the millions. Yet, if we just wanted to take the whole of the GB Deaflympics team to the next Deaflympics, you know, really, all we are asking for is half a million pounds.”

JC: “But do you want to be included in the Paralympics still ?”

SH: “Back in the 1980s and the 1990s, the Paralympic Games was still developing and I think at that time, the idea of the Deaflympics trying to merge with the Paralympics was very difficult. But, what has happened, obviously, over the last 20 years, is that with the Paralympics going forwards, all the other disability groups now have their world games, so we have the Visually Impaired World Games , Learning Disabilities World Games , Dwarf World Games and so on. And these competitions sit under the main Paralympics as feeder events or as preparation events. So, this is a personal point of view of mine, which is, perhaps we can re-visit the whole thing again, where the Deaflympic games becomes a feeder event to the Paralympics.“

JC: “We were hearing there from Stuart Harrison, the Vice Chair of UK Deaf Sport. So, what are the challenges for deaf athletes ? Well, Rajeev Bagga is a badminton player- a very good one in fact He has won 12 gold medals and was named “Deaflympian of the Century” he also plays in both Deaf and hearing competitions”

RB “ I didn’t know about other deaf people initially and I just started to play in the hearing environment and my parents supported me and I was just competing against more hearing people. I hadn’t met deaf people at that point ; I was just competing with hearing people at home. It was a challenge for me, and I actually started beating them. It was badminton, tennis, squash and I was doing quite well at it and very positively in that way. And then the first Deaflympics, I was quite shocked to know about it, I hadn’t heard of it, so I joined it and said obviously I am deaf so can you give me some information to do this. And so then I was in 1989, in my first Deaflympics in New Zealand and I started beating everybody and I thought from the experience I had gained from competitions with hearing people I thought the standards when I got there I felt I was able to cope very well with the competition.”

JC: “I just want to get out what exactly what is hampered by not being able to hear in the sports that you play?”

RB: “ I was able to do it when I was younger because I had the family supporting me. My father would support me with the communication so you see I would not have been able to do it on my own. As time had got on, I got into a hearing team and it got to quite a difficult stage where I was being hampered, I was actually trying to communicate with the rest of the team through lip-reading and simple gestures and it wasn’t as good as I would have liked it to be”

JC: “So when you are on the court, what does the interpreter do? Do they simply give you the calls form the umpires? Is that the only thing that you are missing out on?

RB: “You know, well, its prior to a match all referees are informed of me being Deaf so they know that I am going to be playing. So, I am competing against a hearing person and they use scores, they use visual scores (Rajeev signing the flip-card sign), so I can see that and sometimes if they have made a mistake and I don’t understand what the call is, the interpreter then steps in to explain what the call was or what the issue has been – we tried actually to do the actual games without the interpreters but it’s the clarification of particular points that are needed…”

JC: “So, in terms of actually playing the sport, it’s not really, it doesn’t really hamper you that much, it is the understanding why certain calls are being made and the communication with the umpires in general ? “

RB: “Yes that right”

JC: “How would you compare your experience in deaf sport versus your experience in non-deaf sport ?”

RB: “ I have got a passion with Deaf sport. I can see that it’s a lot better to actually have those competitions because the communication is there and you have those interactions throughout so I feel a lot more confident and a lot more comfortable in Deaf sport than I do in hearing competitions. If I am playing in hearing sport it is not as easy and so I need the extra communication because without that I don’t know what is going on and I feel as though I am not on a par with them to know what is going on.”

JC: “That was Rajeev Bagga a badminton player there and I was speaking to him with the help of an interpreter Peter Shilston. Now looking ahead here in the BBC World Service when we will have coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic games….“

Have a good weekend !