Closing Ceremony - ICSD President's speech

Dear Deaflympic friends,

Dear athletes, representatives of delegations, guests, and deaf community who watched us live around the world – good evening!

ICSD sincerely thanks the Organizing Committee and the public authorities and all our Brazilian partners and friends who made these Deaflympics possible. The first ever in Latin America.

I want to make special thanks to the Secretary of Sports and Leisure of Caxias do Sul, Gabriel Citton, on behalf of the entire city hall team, for the delivery of his entire team. You were tireless and fundamental and I couldn't forget the mayor of Farroupilha, Fabiano Feltrin, our subheadquarters of the games, for all his welcome, engagement, support and willingness to help and do the best for Deaflympics.

Special thanks go to all the volunteers. You made us feel like home from the first moment. Thank you, volunteers!

ICSD athletes!

Over past 15 days, we have been admiring your outstanding performances, dedication and success.

We received about 5,000 people here, 2401 athletes from 73 nations. 50 of the 73 countries that competed rose to the podium in Caxias do Sul that's fabulous. Thousands of athletes will take medals and memories, certainly positive from Caxias do Sul.

Each and every one of you strived during these games to reach out to victory and to the highest position of your discipline.

We were deeply touched how you were also wishing and cheering your competitors: this is the celebration of Sport spirit. You are not only respecting each other, you also supported each other. Through sport, we can lift up the best of humanity and highlight the value of sport and in the case of these games, the sport of the Deaf!

Today at the end of the 24th Deaflympics, ICSD is proud to announce the creation of the Athletes Commission: an important and necessary step towards a better understanding of Athletes needs and issues.

Athletes’ voices are essential for the ICSD.

Athletes stand at the heart of the Deaflympics Movement this is why athletes have voted for new first athlete commission members.

The composition of the first ever ICSD Athletes commission members are: Katrin NEUDOLT, Badminton (Austria), Janer CABEZAS ROSERO, Athletics (Colombia), Alireza BASIH, Football (Iran) and Maor BEN-ZEEV, Basketball (Israel).

And now, with my head and my heart filled emotions and pride, with a reiterated thanks to the organizing committee, to Caixas do Sol and to our Athletes, I have to mark the end of this unforgettable Deaflympic experience: I declare the 24th Summer Deaflympics Caxias do Sul 2021 closed.

Gustavo Perazzolo

ICSD President