Melbourne, Australia, the home of major sports events, such as the 1956 Olympics and the annual Australian Open Tennis Championships, the host of the 20th Summer Deaflympics in January, 2005.

Beach Volleyball is now recognized as a new summer discipline in the Deaflympic sports competition.

Tamara Foronda of United States received a $5000 Fair Play Award from Widex.

The sports offered at the 20th Summer Deaflympics were held in the disciplines of Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bowling, Cycling Road, Football, Handball, Orienteering, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling Freestyle and Wrestling Greco-Roman.