Deaflympics Taipei 2009 Lead Up News

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News and information on sports events and preparations in the lead up to the Deaflympics 2009 hosted in Taipei, Taiwan.

13 - Feb - 2009 - The Taipei Organizing Committee of the 21st Summer Deaflympics 2009 has kicked off a naming campaign for the event's mascot, the lively Taipei green tree frog (Rhacophorus taipeianus), which will run through March 15. The committee said that the campaign is designed to allow the public to join the largest world-level sporting event ever held in Taipei, and to cheer members of the Chinese Taipei team for the upcoming deaflympics, which will be held Sept. 5-15 in Taipei as the premier international competition for the hearing impaired.

6 - Feb - 2009 - A deaf footballer is appealing for help to keep his Olympic dream alive. Paul Mills is the only player from Greater Manchester to be chosen for the Great Britain Deaf Football Squad for this summer's Deaflympics games in Taiwan. But the 22-year-old faces the challenge of raising £3,000 to take part, after the government withdrew its funding from UK Deaf Sport, to put more money towards the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Paul has until the end of the month to find the cash to secure his place at the Deaflympics in September. To help Paul get to Taiwan, visit www.justgiving.com/footballgb, send checks made payable to Great Britain Deaf Football Association to Bolton Lads and Girls Club, 18 Spa Road, Bolton, B.

5 - Feb - 2009 - The Deaflympics 2009, scheduled to be held in September in Taipei, is expected to attract over 10,000 foreign visitors, the city government said Wednesday. The visitors will include 3,600 athletes from 81 countries, as well as their coaches and families, said Taipei Deputy Mayor Wu Ching-chi. He said Taipei is very honored to have the opportunity to host the games, which he said will "let Taiwan embrace the world and the world embrace Taiwan." The event will also help Taipei become more disabled-friendly, he added.

31 - Jan - 2009 - Mindshare Taiwan has been tasked by the Deaflympics committee on a full 360 marketing and media solution, including PR, creative strategy, TV development, event sponsorship and media planning & buying. The work will be managed and delivered in the lead up to the event itself.

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British Deaf Sports Council has pledge to donate £5,000 toward Team GB for their Deaflympics 2009. Team GB will be taking part in Taipei in September 2009. It is hoped more money will be pledged, it depends on the effort by the BDSC Fund Raising Team.

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Currently there are 20 sports on the 21st Summer Deaflympics Program: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Football, Handball, Orienteering, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling Freestyle, Wrestling Greco-Roman, Karate, Judo and Taekwondo.

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Due to its distinctive character in the Games that shows spirit for Deaf Sports, in May 2001, the ICSD (International Committee of Sports for the Deaf) was granted permission by the IOC to use DEAFLYMPICS to replace World Games of the Deaf, and the new name was then employed in the 19th Rome Summer Deaflympics and onwards. Participation in the Deaflympics Summer Games has increased steadily since 1924, both in number of participating countries and in number of athletes. The largest increases in participation have occurred since 1989.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.