Tag Archives: Deafness

MPs Back Call for Deaflympics Funding Parity Following #FairPlayForDeafAthletes Campaign

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Following the success of British athletes at the Tokyo Deaflympics, MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee have formally recommended that the Government fund elite Deaf sport and recognise the Deaflympics on the same basis as the Olympics and Paralympics.

While this does not yet represent full Parliamentary backing, it is a significant step forward for UK Deaf Sport’s #FairPlayForDeafAthletes campaign.

At Two Big Ears, we welcome this intervention — and we are clear about what must come next.

Deaflympians excluded from public funding

In its letter to the Secretary of State, the Committee states:

“Elite deaf athletes in the UK are the only disabled elite sports group that has no access to public funding whatsoever.”

Despite competing at the highest international level, Deaflympians:

  • Receive no UK Sport funding
  • Have no lottery-backed performance pathway
  • Must self-fund training, coaching, travel, physio and kit

This exclusion is not accidental. It is a long-standing policy gap.

Deaflympics recognised as part of the Olympic family

The Committee also makes clear that Deaf sport is already part of the recognised elite system:

“The Deaflympics [are] part of the Olympic family and the only games in which there is a classification for deaf people.”

This directly challenges the idea that Deaflympians sit outside elite sport structures.

Tokyo Deaflympics: success despite the system

MPs highlighted the reality faced by Deaf athletes preparing for Tokyo:

“To take part, our deaf athletes have to continuously raise money for training fees, travel, physio and kit.”

“For Tokyo, the 65 UK athletes who took part had to raise £250,000 between them, just to enable them to represent this country.”

All of this happened while athletes were training for elite competition and working or studying full time.

The conclusion was clear: Deaf athletes succeed in spite of the system, not because of it.

The funding ask — and why it is modest

UK Deaf Sport estimates that:

“£3 million [is needed] to prepare a team through the next full cycle, ready for the 2029 Deaflympics.”

The Committee noted:

“That is less than 1% of what UK Sport has awarded for the Olympics and Paralympics in one Olympic cycle.”

This is not an excessive demand. It is a proportionate request for equality.

Committee recommendation, not yet a Parliamentary vote

The Committee is explicit about what it is asking Government to do:

“Commit, via UK Sport, to £3 million of funding now for elite deaf sport in the current Deaflympics cycle.”

“Permanently recognise the Deaflympics in the same way you do for the Paralympic and Olympic Games for funding purposes.”

This is a formal recommendation. It now requires:

  • Government acceptance
  • A funding decision
  • Political will to act

Two Big Ears: fair play must mean fair funding

As the Committee concludes:

“The Deaflympians who represented our country on the global stage… deserve an equal opportunity.”

The #FairPlayForDeafAthletes campaign has now been reinforced by Parliamentary scrutiny.

The evidence has been heard.
The recommendation has been made.

Now the Government must decide whether it will act.

“What Happens Next?” – Simple Explainer

Where we are now

  • The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has reviewed evidence
  • It has written formally to the Secretary of State
  • It has recommended £3 million in funding and permanent recognition of the Deaflympics

What this does NOT mean

  • This is not yet a vote of Parliament
  • Funding is not yet agreed
  • Policy has not yet changed

What must happen next

  1. The Government responds to the Committee
  2. Ministers decide whether to accept the recommendation
  3. UK Sport is instructed (or not) to release funding
  4. Longer-term recognition is agreed or rejected

Why this matters
Committee recommendations carry political weight.
Ignoring them requires justification.

This is the strongest position Deaf sport has held in UK policy discussions to date.

Read the full article on the UK Parliament website

Deaflympics Media Watch (16 November 2025)

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Data collected 0900 JST 16-Nov-2025

The Games are underway — but you’d hardly know it from the world’s sports desks.

Today should have been the moment the headlines shifted from warm-up stories to actual competition: goals scored, medals won, shocks, heroics, heartbreak. Instead? Silence. And not the Deaf kind. The media kind.

Yes, the results exist. They’re sitting quietly on the official Tokyo 2025 website. They’re in federation match reports — like the USA Deaf Women smashing Japan 5–0, or the Ukrainian men putting five past the US team. They’re hidden in Japanese corporate updates and athlete sponsor pages. The wrestling brackets are fully up. The schedules are live. The data is there.

Japan Today reported on members of the imperial family in attendance at the Opening Ceremony. (Image: POOL via ZUMA press Wire)

But where are the stories?

Where is the mainstream “Day 1 at the Deaflympics”?
Where is the BBC Sport medal table ticker?
Where is the ESPN highlight reel?
Where is even one big newsroom saying “Here’s what happened today”?

This is the pattern we’re exposing: if a Deaf athlete wins, you have to dig through official PDFs and federation pages to find out. The world’s sports media aren’t telling the story. Not yet. Media access information

And that’s exactly why we’re watching.
Exactly why we’re documenting this gap.
Exactly why we’re doing this work.

Because the athletes are competing.
The results are happening.
The moments are real.
The coverage should be too.

Real sport with real results, ignored by real newsrooms.

All the details are here on the official Deaflympics2025 website

Live action via You Tube

Understanding Audism in Deaf Sport

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The unseen barrier that perpetuates the discrimination of deaf people in sport.

Audism is the belief that hearing and speaking are superior to being deaf and using sign language. It leads to discrimination and systemic barriers that marginalize deaf people in education, employment, and sport. The term was coined by Tom Humphries (1977) and has since been explored in Deaf Studies and Disability Studies.

In sport, audism manifests in coaching structures, team dynamics, funding, communication, and access to opportunities. Many sporting organizations fail to recognize Deaf sport as distinct from disability sport or do not provide adequate accommodations, which limits deaf athletes’ participation and success.

Prof Tom Humphries first coined the phrase Audism in the 1970s

Key Aspects of Audism in Deaf Sport:

Linguistic Discrimination – Favouring spoken language over sign language

  • For many coaches and team staff verbal communication is the default, leaving deaf athletes struggling to follow instructions in training and competition. The also take the path of least resistance and engage more with non-signers.
  • Most organisations in the sports economy fail to provide sign language interpreters, assuming that lip-reading or written communication is enough—despite evidence that lip-reading is only about 30-40% effective.
  • Deaf sports teams and events often receive less media coverage because they do not fit traditional (spoken language-based) broadcasting formats.

Medical Model Bias – Viewing deafness as a “deficiency” that needs fixing

  • Sports federations inadvertently, out of ignorance, prioritize hearing aids or cochlear implants over sign language and accessible communication strategies, pushing deaf athletes toward a “hearing” approach to sport.
  • Deaf athletes who do not use hearing technology are overlooked or excluded because coaches and administrators see them as “too difficult to work with.”
  • In classification systems for disability sports, such as the European Disability Golf Association, deaf athletes are disallowed from competing in their elite class compete because deafness alone does not qualify them for Paralympic categories, reinforcing the idea that the lived-experience of deaf athletes and the Deaflympic classification is less valid.

Institutional Barriers – Lack of access to coaching, funding, and competition pathways

  • Many national governing bodies do not fund elite Deaf sport at the same level as other disability sports, making it harder for deaf athletes to access high-performance training.
  • Deaf athletes often face fewer opportunities to compete internationally because Deaf-specific events (like the Deaflympics) receive far less support compared to the Paralympics or mainstream sport.
  • In some cases, deaf players in mainstream teams are expected to “adapt” rather than teams making accommodations for them. For example, if a referee relies only on a whistle, a deaf athlete misses key signals during a match.

Cultural Erasure – Disregarding Deaf sport as a distinct culture

  • Deaf sport has its own history, traditions, and rules, yet many sports organizations treat Deaf sport as an afterthought, assuming deaf athletes should just integrate into mainstream teams.
  • Sporting federations sometimes fail to recognize Deaf sport records and achievements, treating them as secondary to hearing competitions.
  • Deaf athletes feel pressured to conform to hearing norms rather than being encouraged to celebrate Deaf identity in sport.
  • Sports federations (Cricket Australia) initially adopting deaf sports teams but over time failing to recognise the strategic significance of their Deaf sport partners (Deaf Cricket Australia) and capitalising on Deaf Gain.

Everyday Prejudice – Patronizing attitudes and lack of inclusion in team culture

  • Deaf athletes in mixed (hearing and deaf) teams often experience exclusion—for example, being left out of informal team chats or not being fully involved in pre-game strategy discussions.
  • Hearing coaches and teammates sometimes assume deaf athletes need “extra help”, even when they are fully capable of competing at the same level.
  • There have been reports of derogatory remarks made against deaf players in mixed disability teams, reinforcing the idea that they are not fully accepted.
Illustration from “What is Audism and How to Avoid It”

Audism in sport is not just about access—it’s about respect, equity, and recognition. True inclusion means more than adding an interpreter or letting a deaf player join a hearing team—it requires systemic changes in funding, training, and competition structures. Recognizing Deaf sport as a distinct and equal sporting category is crucial for breaking down audism and allowing deaf athletes to compete and thrive on their own terms.

To read more on the politics and challenges for Deaf sport “Same Spirit Different Team”

Breaking Barriers or Building Them? The Case for Deaf Women’s Cricket

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A report by UK Deaf Sport and Women in Sport sheds light on the significant challenges faced by deaf teenage girls in sport. It identifies key barriers such as communication difficulties, lack of inclusive environments, and gender bias that discourage participation. These findings are not unique to the UK—globally, deaf women and girls face systemic obstacles when trying to engage in sport at all levels.

A striking example of this is Cricket Australia’s decision not to support Deaf Cricket Australia women’s team. This choice sends a disappointing message about the priorities within the sport and the level of commitment to true inclusivity. Deaf women and girls in Australia, much like their counterparts in the UK, are being told—explicitly or implicitly—that their participation is not a priority.

Melissa Hale, Deaf Cricket Australia Read Bianna Boeker’s interview

The Parallels Between UK and Australian Deaf Women’s Sport

The UK Deaf Sport report highlights the importance of role models, accessible pathways, and a welcoming environment in fostering participation. When governing bodies fail to invest in women’s deaf sport, they reinforce the very barriers that studies like this seek to dismantle. If deaf teenage girls already struggle with access to inclusive environments, how much harder is it when there are no representative teams at a national level?

The impact of this decision extends beyond the cricket field. Sport is a crucial vehicle for confidence, leadership skills, and social connection. By refusing to support the women’s deaf cricket team, Cricket Australia is limiting opportunities for female athletes who already face greater hurdles to participation.

What Needs to Change?

Cricket Australia must reconsider its position and actively support Deaf Cricket by building a women’s programme. This includes:

  • Providing financial and logistical support to help develop a pathway for deaf female cricketers, just as hearing players have access to structured pathways.
  • Investing in inclusive coaching by ensuring that coaches are trained to work with deaf athletes, rather than relying solely on interpreters.
  • Promoting deaf female role models to inspire the next generation of cricketers.
  • Aligning with broader inclusion efforts seen in other sports that are actively working to break down barriers for women with disabilities.

The Bigger Picture

This is not just about cricket—it’s about ensuring that all athletes, regardless of gender or disability, have access to equal opportunities. The decision by Cricket Australia contradicts the growing global movement towards greater inclusivity in sport. Organisations such as UK Deaf Sport are making strides in addressing these issues, but without the backing of national governing bodies, progress will be slow.

The question is: does Cricket Australia want to be remembered as an organisation that fosters inclusion or one that reinforces exclusion? The choice is theirs, but the consequences will be felt most by those who need support the most.

It’s time for change. Support your national deaf sports!

For a more in-depth dive into the politics and challenges of deaf people in sport “Same Spirit Different Team”

Deaf Cricket Australia Closes: Implications for Future Generations

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A Heart-breaking Decision That Shakes the Deaf Sporting Community.

On January 31st, 2025, members of Deaf Cricket Australia (DCA) gathered at Melbourne Deaf Cricket Club. Others joined online for the historic but deeply emotional meeting. The organization announced its closure. What should have been a celebration of 130 years of Deaf cricket in Australia turned into a painful farewell.

Two Big Ears could look in and ask questions during the live-streamed session. We thank Expression Australia for setting up the technical arrangements.

The decision was not made lightly. DCA representatives Melissa Hale, Justin Bergin, and James Hale stood before a devastated audience. They explained the irreversible breakdown in negotiations with Cricket Australia (CA). The raw emotion in the room was unmistakable. As they spoke, their heartbreak was visible to everyone. They fought to hold their composure. It was clear how much this loss meant to them.

Cricket Australia’s Grip on Deaf Cricket

In recent years, Deaf Cricket Australia had to adapt to the structures set by Cricket Australia. Cricket Australia controls the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) and the Australian Deaf Cricket Team.

The problem? Cricket Australia had full control.

Under its agreements, DCA:

  • Lost its autonomy to run independent competitions or seek its own sponsorship.
  • Was denied the right to form an Australian Deaf Women’s Cricket Team. This happened despite other countries like India and Sri Lanka already having theirs.
  • Had no say in decisions affecting Deaf cricket at a national level.

Melissa Hale made it clear:

“We knew from 130 years of history how Deaf cricket works. Cricket Australia just did not agree.”

With most hard-of-hearing players growing up in the hearing world, DCA’s biggest fear was the loss of Deaf leadership. They worried that the future of the sport would become just another hearing-dominated system. This change will strip it of the cultural and community values that made it unique.

Melissa Hale, DCA, speaking at the meeting.

A Decision Five Years in the Making

For over five years, Deaf Cricket Australia pushed for greater Deaf leadership. They also advocated for Deaf mentors and a structure that protected Deaf culture within the sport.

But the barriers were impossible to break. Cricket Australia repeatedly denied requests for a Deaf Women’s team. They offered no explanation. The organization also blocked attempts to secure independent sponsorship due to corporate agreements.

Audience member, Tamara Trina spoke for women in the Deaf community. She felt that Cricket Australia’s attitude towards deaf women is Audist and quite discriminatory. This attitude extends to deaf people.

Faced with no alternative, DCA made the painful decision to cease operations and seal its history. The name, logo, and trophies—including the prestigious Webby Cup and Abraham Shield—will now be preserved as historical artifacts.

A Tearful Goodbye: Holding Composure in the Face of Heartbreak

The most gut-wrenching moment of the night came when Melissa Hale, Justin Bergin, and James Hale gave their final remarks.

Each one fought back tears as they addressed the audience. Their voices wavered, and their hands trembled as they signed, trying not to break down. The weight of their words was heavy, and everyone in the room felt their pain.

Justin Bergin has been part of Deaf Cricket Australia since 1994. He shared how difficult it was to explain this decision. He found it challenging to communicate it to DCA life members like John Webb OAM, Kevin Smith, and Tony Clews.

“It’s been part of my life for 30 years. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

James Hale alluded to the internal battles and sleepless nights that went into this decision. He recalled a painful meeting with state representatives in March 2024. During that meeting, it became clear that DCA can no longer continue.

Melissa Hale, visibly struggling to keep her emotions in check, admitted:

“.. the three of don’t really want to be here tonight. We do know that the three of us are going to break your hearts.”

As they spoke, the room was silent. Many in the audience had tears in their eyes. The heartbreak was not just theirs—it belonged to the entire Deaf cricketing community.

What Happens Now?

With DCA gone, the NCIC will continue under Cricket Australia’s control, but with no Deaf leadership. This raises urgent concerns:

  • Without Deaf mentors, how will new Deaf players be welcomed into the sport?
  • Will Deaf culture and identity be respected in a hearing-dominated system?
  • Can Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) step in and make sure that Deaf cricket doesn’t disappear entirely?

Phil Harper from Deaf Sports Australia acknowledged these challenges. He admitted that DSA oversees 16 different sports. It does not have the resources to take over grassroots Deaf cricket development.

A Loss Felt Across Generations

The closure of Deaf Cricket Australia is more than just a sporting decision. It is a cultural loss for the Deaf community.

For 130 years, Deaf cricket has not just been a game. It is a place of belonging. It was a space where Deaf people connect through their language, identity, and shared experiences.

Now, that space is gone.

A Call to Action

The future of Deaf cricket now lies in the hands of the players and the community. Cricket Australia will continue running its teams. Yet, the question remains: Will Deaf players be capable of finding playing opportunities in this new system? Or will Cricket Australia’s decision be the beginning of the end for Australia’s biggest deaf sport?

If the community wants change, now is the time to step ahead. They should contact Deaf Sports Australia. It’s important to push for a system that respects Deaf identity and leadership.

For now, Deaf Cricket Australia is gone. But the spirit of its players, past and current, will never be forgotten.

#DeafCricketAustralia #EndOfAnEra #CricketForTheDeaf #DeafSports #CricketAustralia #InclusiveSport #DeafCommunity #130YearsOfHistory.

Documentary Film Preview: “Watch Us Roar”

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A new documentary from BSLBT gives a riveting insight into the GB Women’s Deaf Futsal Team’s 2024 Winter Deaflympics journey

Sign Language version of the article

On July 16th, sports enthusiasts and documentary lovers alike will be treated to a compelling new film, “Watch Us Roar.” This 30-minute, BSLBT- commissioned documentary, produced by Flashing Lights and set to broadcast on BSL Zone, delves deep into the world of the Great Britain Women’s Deaf Futsal team as they navigate the intensity and drama of the Winter Deaflympics in Erzurum, Türkiye, held in March this year. With a storyline that intricately weaves through personal and collective challenges, “Watch Us Roar” promises to be an eye-opener on multiple fronts. Indeed, this documentary comes with a trigger warning at the beginning.

The documentary sheds light on the daunting decisions and mounting tensions the team faces, particularly against the backdrop of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) decision to withhold funding for Deaflympic sports. This year, marking the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympic Games, is particularly significant as it was the first time Futsal was included in the competition. The lack of financial support forces both the team management to take calculated risks, and the footballers to divert their focus from crucial preparations to fundraising efforts. This narrative thread underscores the stark realities and emotional toll of competing at such high stakes without adequate support.

One of the central figures in “Watch Us Roar” is Marios Costi, the team’s head coach. The film offers an intimate look at his tactical skills and the emotional depth of his coaching style, which many viewers might find unexpectedly intense by contemporary standards. Costi’s vulnerability and passion are laid bare, presenting a multifaceted view of a coach under pressure. His approach culminates in a dramatic and candid team meeting, where players are invited to express their honest thoughts and feelings, leading to explosive tensions and significant fallouts.

On top of the gripping narrative surrounding the team as a whole, “Watch Us Roar” also delves into the personal journeys of three key players, adding a deeply private dimension to the documentary. By following these athletes closely, the film provides intimate insights into their individual struggles, triumphs, and motivations. This personal focus encourages viewers to connect on a more emotional level with the team, fostering a sense of empathy and support. Through their stories, the audience is invited to not only witness the collective challenges of the team but also to champion the personal adventures of these remarkable women as they strive to achieve their dreams on the world stage.

“Watch Us Roar” does more than just document a sports team’s journey; it provides an unfiltered look into the dynamics of teamwork, the strains of underfunding, and the raw emotions that fuel athletic competition. Deaflympians represent Great Britain at the Winter and Summer Deaflympics under the banner of DeaflympicsGB, authorized by UK Deaf Sport. The documentary is essential viewing for anyone who enjoys sports and is curious about the often-unseen drama of team meetings and behind-the-scenes preparations during major competitions.

Mark your calendars for July 16th – “Watch Us Roar” is a must-watch that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the resilience and spirit of the Great Britain Women’s Deaf Futsal team.

Follow the BSL Zone and get ready for the documentary on 16th July 2024.

One to Watch this Week

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Two Big Ears, will be keeping up to date on the progress of the Profoundly Deaf European U23 silver medallist hammer thrower, Charlotte Payne, who debuts at this week’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Charlotte, from Reading, UK, is 21 years old who, last year, became the British Champion for the first time in the Women’s Hammer with a throw of 70.59m as she also became the youngest British woman to throw over 70m.

Charlotte Payne (GB) [Getty Images]

Charlotte missed out on last years Commonwealth Games as she failed to qualify, (she broke the British record after the qualifying date). Anna Purchase, went on to represent England at the games and joins Charlotte in Budapest this week. Anna and Charlotte are chasing the 74.54m record set by Sophie Hitchon at the Rio Olympics in 2016, who has since retired from the sport. ‘We are coming into a golden age of hammer’ they told the BBC.

We are not expecting Charlotte to win a medal in Budapest as the event is currently dominated by the North Americans, led by 27- year-old, Brooke Anderson who is only the 3rd person who has thrown over 80m in this event.

Ranked 30th in the world with a best throw of 72.51 this summer, Charlotte is one of the four youngest competitors at this years event including Silja Kosonen (FIN) the European U23 Champion (ranked 8th). The others are Jie Zhao (CHN) 18th and Rose Loga (FRA) 19th. Charlotte has shown that she can compete with the best as she came second to Kosonen and beat Loga by 1.26m at the European U23 championships this year.

The event starts on Wednesday 23rd August with two qualifying groups at 19:00 and 20:35. The final will be held the next day 24th August at 20:26.

If you are watching from the UK we might be able to catch up with the event on the BBC between 19:00 – 21:00. If you like outside the UK, you an find your TV viewing times at where to watch

Payne told the BBC “I hope that I can offer some sort of inspiration for other deaf athletes coming through”.

If you know of any other deaf athletes competing in Budapest this week, please let us know so that we can cover them in our reporting.

See more reporting from the BBC

First Deaf Woman Conquers Everest

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Shayna Unger has become the first profoundly deaf woman to climb Mount Everest.

According to gearjunkie.com Shayna and her climbing partner Scott Lehmann who is also profoundly deaf, peaked the summit at 6 a.m. on May 22, 2023.

Unger and Lehmann have been using their Everest expedition to inspire and educate their deaf students and they have an excellent website. with some amazing video footage of their climbs

The first Deaf person to climb Everest was Japanese Deaflympian Satoshi Tamura an alpine skiier, on May 21, 2016, 7 years ago.

Photo: scottshayna.com

Lehmann and Unger have already climbed Denali, Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc and Aconcagua as an all-Deaf team. They have now completed four of the World’s seven big summits.

Bravo!

Deaflympian grabs TV Game show job

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A Popular gameshow on the BBC in the UK has recruited Jodie Ounsley, GB Deaflympian as a Gladiator.

Professional Exeter Chiefs Rugby Player, Jodie Ounsley, is named ‘Fury’ thanks to her power and passion for competition. A former England Women’s Rugy Seven’s player, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion and five times World Coal Carrying champion, she won the title of Deaf Sports Personality of The Year in 2020.

Jodie has Gladiators in her blood, her father was a contender on the show in 2008, and she has been training to outdo him ever since. When she was younger she even dressed up as a Gladiator and practiced the games in her living room! Contenders beware, when that game starts you’ll feel the wrath of ‘Fury’.

You can follow at https://www.gladiatorstv.com/

This comes after a series of TV shows featuring deaf contestants in different countries over the years. We recently saw GB Football Deaflympian Jamie Clark in an SAS style show.

Russian Deaflympic Gold medallist sues former ICSD President of Slander

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The legal representatives of the Russian beach Volleyball athlete Rushan Dayanov have filed a lawsuit of slander to protect his honour and dignity against accusations made by Valery Rukhledev in a TV interview that he is in fact hearing and should not be competing in deaf sport.

Extract from Video: Dayanov having an audiometry test (copyright DEAFNET)

We are grateful to readers of our website who have alerted us to this case. The information is available on the Russian website DEAFNET from October 2022. It also has a video of Dayanov as he has a hearing test to prove that his deafness meets ICSD standards of 55dB or more in the better ear.

The story came about after ICSD received an anonymous latter claiming that the athlete has fraudulently won a Beach Volleyball gold medal at the 2005 Deaflympics in Melbourne. Such accusation are very serious for Russian athletes because if they are disqualified, they not only lose their medal but also a pension from the government.

Dayanov and Ivanov at the medal ceremony (copyright DEAFNET)

Dayanov’s team-mate in the Beach Volleyball competition was Stanislav Ivanov the head of the All-Russian Society of the Deaf (VOG) which suggests that the letter was actually written by disgruntled former employees at VOG who have a vendetta against Ivanov and that Dayanov has become the scapegoat.

Ruslan Daryakuliev, Dayanov’s Lawyer (copyright DEAFNET)

The lawyer representing Dayanov claim to have irrefutable proof of his hearing loss and in the video, the athlete said “I achieved the championship with sweat and blood, worked hard for 20 years to deserve this prize- not only for myself, but first of all the country. This whole situation was an absolute shockfor me. I have nothing to hide. It hurts that for the sake of petty intrigues, swindlers are ready to break a persons life.”

The lawyer Daryakuliev promises that the response to slander would be ‘extremely harsh’. The defendants in the case are Rukhledev, the All-Russian Television of the Deaf and its editor in chief Alexander Soldatov. Applications have already been prepared to initiate criminal cases under the charge of ‘slander’.

Valery Rukhledev, former ICSD President speaking to All-Russian Deaf TV (copyright DEAFNET)

The video in the article shows Rukhledev talking to All-Russian Deaf TV “Dyanov spoke among the deaf, but in fact he is 100% hearing”. he speaks fluently and does not know sign language. This is already a global scandal.”

This case does raise issues around the proof that athletes require to compete in international deaf sports. In the athlete’s defence it has been explained that he has speech that is almost indistinguishable from that of hearing people because he did not become deaf until he was 10 years old after a serious illness. Comments on the website suggest that it may be very difficult to prove what his hearing was like in 2005, because Dayanov is now 62/63 years of age and likely that he would present such a level of deafness for his age.

The video showing Dayanov’s Deaflympic medals (Copyright DEAFNET)

His last Deaflympic competition was in 2017 when he won a bronze medal in the beach Volleyball.

The lawyer also argues that the Russian Deaflympic committee should not be undertaking disciplinary checks on the basis of an anonymous letter and should have taken measures to protect athletes from anonymous accusations and identifying the authors of such letters.

Russian Deaflympic team with President Putin (copyright DEAFNET)

We have no updates on this case, perhaps our readers will keep us informed?

You can rind the full article on DEAFNET website