Deaflympics

Honouring Deaf Athletes — A Step Towards Equal Recognition!

It has come to our attention that Hungary and Poland have officially recognised Deaflympians on equal footing with Olympians and Paralympians, honouring them on dedicated walls and public spaces. We want to celebrate and highlight this wonderful example of recognition for our deaf sports community!

We encourage all countries to consider spotlighting the achievements of their Deaflympians alongside Olympians and Paralympians.
We are proud of every Deaflympian — for their achievements, their resilience, and their lasting impact on sport and society.

Hungary In June 2022, the Wall of Deaflympics Champions was inaugurated in Budapest’s Olympic Park, featuring the names of Hungarian Deaf athletes. The wall stands as a permanent tribute to their achievements alongside Olympians and Paralympians, celebrating them as role models of dedication, perseverance, and the human spirit. Since then, all gold medal winners at the Deaflympics have been featured on the wall. Most recently, track and field athlete Gál Nikolett was honoured with an engraving on the wall for her achievements at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics.

Poland Sprinter Sara Plewczyńska became the first Deaf Polish athlete to be honoured at the Roundabout of Rawicz Olympians in Rawicz, in recognition of her bronze medal and podium finish in the 4×100 m relay (a Polish record) at the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo 2025. A historic moment for Deaf sport in Poland.

Does your country honour Deaf athletes in a similar way?
Let us know in the comments, we would love to hear from you.

Site inspection for the World Deaf Handball Championships 2027 in ZLATIBOR, Serbia

Today, ICSD International Sports Director Jürgen Endress and ICSD Handball Director Marjan Turković, together with Borko Veselinović from the Serbia Deaf Sports Federation, continued the official two-day site inspection for the World Deaf Handball Championships 2027.

During the inspection, the delegation visited the planned sport halls, hotels, and key infrastructure facilities, while also reviewing important technical matters, logistics, and the preliminary competition schedule.

The World Deaf Handball Championships 2027 for Men and Women are scheduled to take place from 1 to 11 September 2027 in ZLATIBOR, Serbia.

The ICSD and the local organisers are working closely together to ensure high-quality conditions and a successful championship for all participating delegations.

ICSD President Ádám Kósa welcomed Mr. Kimura Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary, at the ICSD office in Budapest.

With a background in Japanese sports management, Ambassador Kimura expressed great interest in ICSD's work, future plans, and our reflection on the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics.

ICSD looks back on the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics with great satisfaction, a truly exceptional Games and looks forward to continued cooperation with Japan in the field of Deaf sport.

Long live Deaf sport!

ICSD President Ádám Kósa met with Lisa Allan, Secretary-General of the International Judo Federation (IJF), to discuss the inclusion of judo in Deaf sport at the highest international level.

Our shared goal: to organize judo competitions at the Athens 2029 Deaflympics fully in line with IJF standards, regulations, and expectations — giving Deaf athletes the platform they deserve.

Thank you, Lisa, for the warm hospitality and the in-depth coordination. We're excited about what's ahead and look forward to future cooperation!

U23 World Deaf Football Championships 2026

The U23 World Deaf Football Championships 2026 will bring together national deaf football teams from around the world in Serbia for an international competition promoting inclusion, sportsmanship, and unity through sport. The championship will take place from 11–23 May 2026 and will feature talented young athletes competing at the highest level of deaf football.
— Sportski Savez Gluvih Srbije (Serbian Deaf Sports Federation)

Location: Zlatibor & Užice, Serbia
Date: 11–23 May 2026

9 NATIONS
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Kenya
Liberia
Poland
Serbia
Türkiye
Ukraine

Watch the livestream: youtube.com/

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It is with deep sadness that the ICSD shares the passing of Jack Clark Lamberton, a true pillar of the Deaf Sports community, on May 1, 2026.

Jack served as President of USADSF (2009–2017), represented Team USA as Delegate or Team Leader at ten Deaflympics, and contributed to our movement as a member of the ICSD Executive Board serving as Vice President of Youth Sports (2017–2021). His passion, dedication, and leadership left a lasting mark on Deaf Sport worldwide.

We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.