18th World Games for the Deaf
The Games were hosted by the Danish Deaf Sports Association (DDI), founded in 1922. It was fitting because the DDI also had 75th anniversary celebration of its existence.
The DDI included two new sports competitions as part of the Summer World Games: Bowling and Orienteering.
Sonja Venhauer of Austria received a Fair Play Award from Widex.
Location: Copenhagen Denmark (DEN)Opening Date: 13 Jul 1997
Closing Date: 26 Jul 1997
Nations: 18
Athletes: 248
Men: 164
Women: 84
Logo designer: Susanne Bum Olesen