ROME, ITALY
13 - 15 September 2011
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
1. Roll Call:
47 member countries in attendance.
2. Welcoming Remarks:
ICSD President Craig Crowley welcomed everyone to the Congress in Rome; following
the cancellation of the Winter Deaflympics in Slovakia. With special mentioned to the
Federazione Sport Sordi Italia to host the 43rd Congress in Rome.
Federazione Sport Sordi Italia President Daniela Mazzocco welcomed everyone to Rome.
After the failure of the 2011 Winter Deaflympics she wanted to ensure deaf sports
continued through the turmoil. Need to work together to secure funding, sponsorship
and preparation.
Manuela Di Centa, Honorary Member of the IOC and former IOC Athlete’s Commission
member spoke of a shared love for sport and ICSD’s future within the Olympic
Movement. She added the importance of lobbying governments to ensure deaf athletes
are treated fairly.
Colin Allen, the President of the World Federation for the Deaf spoke. WFD originated in
Rome. President Allen explained the use of sign language included in U.N. 4 paragraphs
in the charter of rights. WFD hopes to partner with the ICSD to ensure we have all the
information on human rights for deaf. The WFD challenges us to look into the future, not
the past.
President Pancalli President of the Italian Paralympic Committee stated that there is a
need to respect each other within Parasport and deaf sport. Paralympic and deaf sports
work together in Italy. Both have different agendas, but work together well and with
respect. Athletes need to come first.
3. President’s address
President Craig Crowley explained ICSD’s approach, within the context of the current
strategic plan:
1.) Sport - FIRST
2.) STRONGER Deaflympics
3.) MORE opportunities
4.) MORE visible and partnerships
5.) BETTER member of Olympics Movements
Crowley spoke about the challenges facing ICSD after the cancellation of the Slovakia
Deaflympics. ICSD needs to to create more and better opportunities for athletes.
4. Appointment of moderators and scrutinisers, adoption of agenda:
President Crowley welcomed Mark Wheatley and Jeff McWhinney as moderators.
Following the appointment of scrutineers, a vote was held to acknowledge a quorum
adopt the agenda proposed for Congress.
Agenda: Yes – 36
No – 3
Abstain – 1
Vote to proceed approved.
5. Additional delegates, observers
USA proposed to add items to the agenda, in order that a number of additional delegates
and observers should join congress. Ukraine seconded the proposal.
First the USA proposed considering the addition of Donalda Ammons as a delegate for
the USA:
Yes – 21
No – 9
Abstain – 4
With less than 75% support, the item was not added to the agenda.
Then the USA proposed considering the addition of Tiffany Williams as a delegate for
the USA and the addition of Josef Willmerdinger and Wayne Langbein as observers:
Yes – 23
No – 6
Abstain – 10
With less than 75% support, the item was not added to the agenda.
6. Confirmation of Minutes:
42nd Congress in Taipei (September 2009) – Approved.
7. Admission and Recognition of National Federations:
France
Yes - 38
No – 2
Abstain - 2
Mauritius
Yes - 36
No – 3
Abstain - 0
Slovakia
The Slovakian Deaflympics Committee was suspended following the failure of the
Slovakian Deaflympics. Delegates considered a permanent ban.
Yes – 34
No – 0
Abstain – 1
With less than 75% of members in favour of a permanent ban, the Slovakian Deaflympics
Committee remained a member.
8. Chief Executive’s report.
Mark Cooper started work as ICSD Chief Executive in March of 2011. He addressed
Congress.
CEO Mark Cooper confirmed that former Slovakian Deaflympics Committee president
Jaromir Ruda had been imprisoned for jail for 13 years for convictions of fraud from
2008 (non-Deaflympic fraud).
He stated the police had received all relative documents from the countries affected by
the Deaflympics fraud and were investigating.
Total of $1.6 million Euros was fraud from the countries by the Slovakian Deaflympics
Committee.
Cooper reminded delegate that all countries hosting Deaflympics must have Government
support, financial guarantees and thorough inspections.
Cooper discussed the Olympic movement and the ICSD and spoke of the core values of
the International Olympic Committee: -Friendship, Excellence and Respect. He also
addressed the Paralympic values: courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The
Deaflympics values have been identified as: Inclusiveness, responsibility, Fair Play,
Enjoyment, Excellence, Leadership, Enjoyment, Legacy.
9. IOC remarks
Jean-Laurent Bourquin of the IOC’s Sports department joined congress via the internet:
o Intent to have a good working relationship with ICSD.
o recognise Deaf Sport, aim to follow Olympic Charter, get rid of discrimination.
o ICSD has same values as IOC & IPC.
o must highlight ‘Sport First’
o Athlete commission – speak for their rights when participate in sport.
o ICSD has similar model as IOC & IPC.
Deaflympics reports
Representatives from Greece and Canada addressed the failure of Athens as Deaflympics
host for 2013 and Vancouver 2015. They identified the common problem of missing
governmental guarantees and underlined the importance of bids working with national
deaf sports federations.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
1. Roll Call:
47 member countries in attendance.
2. ICSD Report: Operating Plan.
Progress report by CEO Mark Cooper.
The board has put forward a strategic plan that represent’s ICSD’s vision to 2013.
Objectives must be measured so the board can determine success.
Cooper gave two examples of operating plan objectives:
a) Aim: To increase the visibility of deaf sports.
The ICSD board agreed to get recognition in major sport competitions.
Action: Lobbying for inclusion
Who: Delegates and ICSD
Measure: Increased recognition by sporting bodies
2011 Objective: Commonwealth Games inclusion.
Commonwealth games include 25% of our members. In 2014, Glasgow will host the next
Commonwealth Games. Commonwealth Games will have all events combined: hearing
then Paralympics and then Deaf. Commonwealth Games organizers want to include deaf.
The objective is to include deaf people in the Commonwealth Games. This will be
followed in future years by inclusion in Para Pan-Am Games, Mediterranean Games, etc.
b) Aim: Membership growth.
Action: Identify and help new members.
Who: Board members and staff.
Measure: New members to be presented at the Congress.
2011 Objective: Minimum two new members presented to the Congress.
The objective was to increase membership by 2 this year. This was accomplished with
the adoption of France and Mauritius.
3. ICSD Report: Home Office.
Mark Cooper will conduct a review of the home office and present findings to the
executive board.
4. Athlete’s Commission.
Live online feed from Dean Barton-Smith in Australia, he highlighted the importance of
creating an effective Athlete’s Commission; the Commission should represent athletes
within the Deaflympic movement and uphold the rights and obligations of the athletes.
5. Financial Report:
Audited account for 2008-9 were distributed, together with draft accounts for 2009-
2010 and the current year up to the beginning of congress. The accounts were presented
and discussed. ICSD’s finances were discussed.
Vote to accept financial year 2009 accounts.
Yes – 30
No – 1
Abstain – 11
2009 accounts approved.
6. Reports for World Deaf Championships:
· The Dresse & Maere Cup 2011 was successfully held in Turkey.
· Orienteering was held in Ukraine: 35 % of participants were women. Volleyball
invitational in USA: Gallaudet University provided facilities and support.
· Swimming in Portugal: 47 countries participated with many records broken.
· Bowling in Argentina : 140 athletes.
· Basketball in Italy: DIBF suspension resolved.
· Badminton in Korea: event postponed several months due to Japanese tsunami.
· Football in Sweden: preparations well under way.
· Golf in Japan: (2012) World Deaf Golf Federation president pleased with
preparations.
7. New Proposals for Adoptions (for a full description of each motion, please see the
appendix).
· Proposal number 3: Deaf Sports Australia
Deaf Sports Australia called for a complete revision of ICSD’s governance.
Recognizing the need for this, many other proposals aimed at governance were
added to Deaf Sports Australia’s motion. The additions were:
1 Islamic Repulic Of Iran Deaf Sport Federation
2 ICSD Executive Board
4 USA Deaf Sport Federation
5 ICSD Executive Board
6 Islamic Republic Of Iran Deaf Sport Federation
7 Kazakhstan Sports Union Of The Deaf
8 USA Deaf Sport Federation
9 USA Deaf Sport Federation
11 USA Deaf Sport Federation
12 ICSD Executive Board
13 ICSD Executive Board
14 ICSD Executive Board
15 ICSD Executive Board
16 ICSD Executive Board
17 ICSD Executive Board
18 ICSD Executive Board
19 ICSD Executive Board
20 ICSD Executive Board
21 ICSD Executive Board
22 ICSD Executive Board
23 ICSD Executive Board
24 ICSD Executive Board
25 ICSD Executive Board
26 USA Deaf Sport Federation
29 ICSD Executive Board
30 ICSD Executive Board
31 ICSD Executive Board
32 ICSD Executive Board
33 ICSD Executive Board & Canadian Deaf Sports Association
34 ICSD Executive Board
35 ICSD Executive Board
36 ICSD Executive Board
37 ICSD Executive Board
38 ICSD Executive Board
39 ICSD Executive Board
41 ICSD Executive Board
42 ICSD Executive Board
43 ICSD Executive Board
44 ICSD Executive Board
45 ICSD Executive Board
46 UK Deaf Sport
49 USA Deaf Sport Federation
50 Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation
51 Sportna Zveza Gluhih Slovenije (Slovenia)
54 Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation
55 Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation
60 Swedish Deaf Sports Federation
61 Swedish Deaf Sports Federation
62 Swedish Deaf Sports Federation
63 Hellenic Athletic Federation Of The Deaf
64 Sportna Zveza Gluhih Slovenije (Slovenia)
Yes – 29
No – 10
Proposal approved.
· Proposal 10: Zambia Sports Association of the Deaf.
Proposal void: non attendance.
· Proposal 27: Finnish Athletic Association of the Deaf.
Proposal amended: “deaf sports should follow international sports federation
with regard to the distribution of medals”.
Yes – 37
No – 1
Proposal approved.
· Proposal 28:Federazione Sport Sordi Italia.
Yes – 13
No – 17
Proposal refused.
· Proposal 40: UK Deaf Sport: Great Britain.
Yes – 26
No – 5
Proposal approved.
· Proposal 48: USA Deaf Sports Federation.
Yes – 3
No – 26
Proposal refused.
· Proposal 52:Belgian Deaf sport Committee.
Yes – 30
No – 0
Proposal approved.
· Proposal 53: Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation.
Proposal suspended pending review.
· Proposal 56: Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation.
Yes – 39
No – 0
Proposal approved.
· Proposal 57: Croatian Deaf Sports Association.
Yes – 10
No – 15
Proposal refused.
· Proposal 58: Croatian Deaf Sports Association.
Yes – 33
No – 2
Proposal approved.
· Proposal 59: Croatian Deaf Sports Association.
Proposal approved – will be considered alongside governance
reform (see proposal 3).
· Proposal 11: USA Deaf Sports Federation..
Proposal suspended pending more details from DIFA about their
relationship with FIFA.
· Proposal 47: Russian Committee of Deaf Sports.
Proposal withdrawn.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
1. Roll Call:
47 member countries in attendance.
2. World Championships reports
2012 World Deaf Alpine Skiing – Davos: Switzerland.
World Deaf Cup will be separate from 2012 European Deaf Championships; as
Europeans is by invitation only.
2012 World Deaf Beach Volleyball – Illichivsk: Ukraine.
The Beach Volleyball championships may take place in Illichivsk; which 27kms away
from the international airport of Odessa. Financial guarantees have not yet been
delivered.
2012 World Deaf Table Tennis – Tokyo: Japan.
18 April 2012 : Opening Ceremony, preparations under way.
2012 World Deaf Athletics Championships – Toronto: Canada.
There are issues with the budget for Athletics. ICSD is currently looking closely at the
budget. ICSD has given Toronto more time to get Government support.
2012 World Deaf Volleyball Championships – Sofia: Bulgaria.
The Volleyball championships will be taken place in Sofia between 14-20 August 2012;
using new facilities.
2012 World Deaf Football Championships – Ankara: Turkey
The World Deaf Football Championships in Ankara will be for men’s and women’s
football. 16 men’s team and 8 women’s team. The matches will take place in one venue
2012 World Deaf Wrestling – Sofia: Bulgaria.
The Championships will take place on 1-11 September 2012. Preliminary forms are due
on 4 November 2011. The venue has up to 2300 seats, at the university.
2012 World Deaf Martial Arts Championships. Neueva Spara: Venezuela.
There were two inspections in Venezuela for the championships; in October 2012.
The venue will be at Ciudad de la Asuncion, all transport will be provided by the host.
3. Deaflympics reports
2013 Deaflympics – Budapest: Hungary.
President Craig Crowley highlighted the problems of lack of time for the 2013
Deaflympics; following the cancellation in Athens.
He welcomed the Hungarian Sport Federation (Magyar Hallássérültek Sportszövetsége)
and their impressive bid on hosting 2013 Deaflymipcs.
A video message was given by the President of the Hungarian Deaf Sports Federation,,
who will join with the Hungarian Paralympic Committee.
A presentation was made by the Hungarian bid. It was made clear that financial
guarantees would be sought before the end of 2011, in order to go ahead with the bid.
The bid was unanimously welcomed by the delegates.
4. 2017 Summer Deaflympics.
Three countries have submitted their bid to host 2017 Deaflympics. They presented
their bid to the delegates at the Congress.
a) Ankara, Turkey.
b) Barcelona, Spain.
c) Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1st round Voting
1. Ankara- -19
2. Barcelona 11
3. Buenos Aires – 17
2nd round voting
1. Ankara - 25
2. Buenos Aires – 22
Ankara, Turkey wins the bid to host the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.
5. Re-consideraton of Slovakian deaf sports.
The Slovakian government had made it clear to ICSD that enabling Slovakian deaf
athletes to compete again would be welcomed. And this course of action would best
benefit future chances of compensation for the failure of the 2011 winter Deaflympics.
A new motion was proposed, whereby ICSD would remove the old Slovakian
Deaflympics Committee and Slovak Association of the Deaf Sports and replace them with
the Slovenská federácia nepočujúcich športovcov. (Solvakian Federation of Deaf
Athletes).
Yes – 34
No – 4
Motion accepted: Slovenská federácia nepočujúcich športovcov
becomes a member of ICSD
6. 2013 World Deaf Ice Hockey. Vantaa, Finland.
The championships is 20kms north of Helsinki. Technical inspection has been completed
and the report has been submitted to ICSD. The event will be in April 2013, the venue
has up to 3700 seats with 6 changing rooms.
7. In Memoriam:
President Craig Crowley asked everyone in the Congress for a one minute silence for all
the athletes, coaches, leaders, who has passed away since 2009.
Their names in memory are listed below:
BURGRAF Josef SLO 21-Feb-09 Alpine Ski (Yugoslavia)
FRANÇOIS Joseph BEL 19-Aug-09 ICSD TD Tennis & Leader
BERG Thomas O. USA 28-Sep-09 Athletics, Coach & Leader
CHOU Kuo-Tung TPE 08-Oct-09 APDSC President & Honorary Member
KOGOVSEK Anton SLO 15-Oct-09 Athletics & Alpine Ski (Yugoslavia)
FLEISCHER Lawrence Raymond USA 01-Nov-09 PANAMDES President & Leader
FAIRWOOD Bernard USA 17-Nov-09 Wrestling
BATTAD, JR. Anacleto R. USA 11-Jan-10 Volleyball
WERBROUCK Urbain BEL 15-Jan-10 Basketball
LERTSAJAYAN Surachet THA 19-Jan-10 Leader
SAMARANCH H.E. Juan Antonio ESP 21-Apr-10 IOC President & ICSD Honorary Member
SILVESTRI Vincent Todd USA 30-Apr-10 Wrestling
KRALJEVIC Stanko CRO 14-May-10 Football (Yugoslavia)
IVANJKO Rudolf CRO 02-Jun-10 Athletics (Yugoslavia)
BRUNNER Roland SUI 14-Jun-10 Leader
PETSAS Neoclis CYP 19-Jun-10 Leader
KOSMAS Dasiras GRE 04-Jul-10 Leader
KALAI Suleiman Danjin NGR 08-Jul-10 Leader
GRAMMATOGLOU Charalampos GRE 24-Jul-10 Referee
PEDERSEN Arnulf Malvin NOR 30-Jul-10 Alpine Skiing & Athletics
KRAMARENKO Viktor Andreevich RUS 24-Aug-10 Medical
FREDERIKSEN (BRUUN) Erna Elvira DEN 12-Sep-10 Tennis
ZAJC Dusan SLO 21-Sep-10 Basketball (Yugoslavia)
OATES Sammy Marvin USA 06-Oct-10 Athletics & Swimming
BARBE Rene SEY 03-Nov-10 Leader
GJØEN Finn Olav NOR 07-Dec-10 Athletics, Cross Country Skiing & Football
FORSYTH Thomas Alexander CAN 01-Jan-11 Shooting
WIEDNER Klaus AUT 05-Jan-11 Futsal
KARLSSON Krister SWE 17-Feb-11 Bowling
REVOREDO Jorge PER 01-Apr-11 Leader
ILYIN Yury Mikhailovich RUS 21-Apr-11 Coach
GALANT Marijan CRO 14-May-11 Handball (Yugoslavia)
LIE Hans NOR 21-Jun-11 Alpine Skiing
VASILYEV Nikolay RUS 14-Aug-11 Wrestling (Soviet Union)
ICSD also recalls the passing of KELLY Sean, IRL 21-Jul-2001 Leader
8. Miscellaneous:
President Craig Crowley ended the Congress with a sincere thank you to all Executive
Board Members, Federazione Sport Sordi Italia, Technical Directors, Commissions and
ICSD members.