ICSD Facts

The first games, known as The Silent Games, in 1924, were the first games ever for athletes with a disability.

The number of athletes in the Summer Games have seen sharp increases in the most recent decade.

In 1924 in Paris, France, 148 athletes from nine European nations took part. In 2009, the 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei, Chinese Taipei, 2,493 athletes from 77 countries participated.

Today, 104 national deaf sports federations are members of International Committee of Sports for the Deaf.

The first Winter Games, held in Seefeld, Austria, in 1949, included 33 athletes from 5 nations. In 2007, the 16th Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City, United States, 298 athletes from 23 countries participated.

Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia, will host the 17th Winter Deaflympics in February 2011.

Athens, Greece, will host the 22nd Summer Deaflympics in August 2013.

Vancouver, Canada, will host the 18th Winter Deaflympics in February 2015.