43 Thai athletes to join 2009 Summer Deaflympics

The 21^st Summer Deaflympics to be held from Sept. 5 to Sept. 15 will soon kick off in Taipei. Of 2,600 athletes from 79 countries currently registered, 43 are from Thailand to participate in football, handball, bowling, and badminton competitions. 

Taipei, being the first city in Asia to host the international athletic competition for hearing-impaired, is expected to draw some 10,000 athletes and visitors to this island during this event.

The entire city is gearing up for the Games. With 8,600 volunteers actively learning internationally communicative sign language since 2008, emergency text message hotlines installed, and accommodations friendly to hearing-impaired, etc., Taipei is attempting to make the Games the most thoughtful ones.

Taipei Municipal Stadium, with a 20,000-person seating capacity, will host the Game’s opening ceremony, and along with Taipei Arena and Taipei Gymnasium, will also be the location of numerous competitions.

At the opening ceremony world-renowned deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie will perform along with a local performance group U-theatre. Another 8-minute drum performance to be presented by 80 deaf children after months of hard practice will also be eye-catching.

A variety of festive activities, including art performances, exhibitions, and concerts aimed at generating a celebratory atmosphere worthy of such a world-class sporting event have been staged since August onwards. Still there are a lot more for visitors to see.

Taiwan deems hosting the Games important to showcase itself and to engage the world. This island also takes this opportunity to upgrade services for its deaf community.  

The Deaflympics was first held in Paris in 1924. In 1995, the Games received official recognition by the International Olympic Committee. The 20^th Games were held in Melbourne, Australia in 2005.

For more information, please visit http://english.2009deaflympics.org.