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Updated Thursday, September 3, 2009 11:01 am TWN, The China Post news staff

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Countdown to Deaflympics

Jordan Eickman is a two-time Deaflympian in water polo, as well as a doctoral student at the Center for Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol in England. Eickman tells of a time when his U.S. Deaf Water Polo Team took on hearing players and lost. But, when Eickman switched the rules around and made the hearing players play without whistles, the hearing team was destroyed, as they simply couldn't master the visual clues with the necessary speed.

Fairness off the court is another issue. Hearing-impaired athletes are not exactly sought after by big sporting goods manufacturers, and endorsement deals can be far and few between. Many college-level sports don't have the funds to hire a coach and/or a translator that speaks sign language and fellow players can also be reluctant to let the deaf athlete play. These factors and more make the Deaflympics a truly necessary event to let the hearing-impaired compete on an even playing field and to take pride in their achievement as truly “the best among one's peers.”

The Deaflympics is organized differently than the Olympics and while there are private sponsors, sponsorship from multi-national companies as well as government grants, there are no ticket sales. All events — aside from the already sold-out opening and closing ceremonies — are free of charge and open to the public.

The 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei presents Taiwan with a unique educational experience. Hopefully, the sporting events will be well-attended by people from all walks of Taiwanese life. The games are a chance to see a professional Olympic Movement-sanctioned sporting event, as well as an opportunity to be inspired by the thousands of young men and women who have overcome obstacles most of us can barely dream of to become standard bearers for their nation and the hearing-impaired everywhere.

The Deaflympics have had an honorable history since the first official Summer Games took place in Paris in 1924. This weekend, Taipei continues a noble tradition and becomes the first Asian host city in history. We enthusiastically support the games and trust that the Taipei organizing committee will pull off a flawless event. Good luck to the Chinese Taipei team and all participants. As a great slogan on the Deaflympics Web site proclaims: “Silence is Golden — and Silver and Bronze.”

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