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
- The Government responds to the Committee
- Ministers decide whether to accept the recommendation
- UK Sport is instructed (or not) to release funding
- 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
Two Big Ears 