If I asked you to name global sporting events, most of us could reel off the Olympics and Paralympics in a heartbeat. But what about the Special Olympics (the Winter ones held earlier this year)? Or the Deaflympics? Currently underway!
They’re rarely in the spotlight.
The Summer Deaflympics kicked off in Tokyo on 15th November, and it’s not just a competition. It’s a celebration of identity, communication, and community that’s been running for over 100 years.
But before we dive into this in detail in today’s newsletter, a reminder that the doors to the NeuroNavigator® programme are now OPEN! Spaces are limited so book now to avoid missing out.
Today I’m talking about:
Info: Why the Deaflympics matter (and how they differ from the rest)
Tips: Ways to spotlight and support these overlooked games
Recommendations: Resources to learn more, share more, and get involved
The Olympic family you probably didn’t learn about in school
The Deaflympics have been running since 1924 - even longer than the Paralympics. But you’d be forgiven for not knowing. Unlike the Paralympics or the Special Olympics, the Deaflympics are tailored to those with hearing loss.
This isn’t about adjusting the rules or separating out categories. The entire event is designed with Deaf athletes and Deaf culture at the centre: from visual start cues in races to the widespread use of international sign language.
It’s inclusive by default, not by retrofit.
And yet, despite all that, it’s almost invisible in mainstream media coverage. That invisibility matters. Because if we don’t hear about it, we don’t value it. And if we don’t value it, we don’t support it.
The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics are trying to change that. The organisers have a clear vision:
“To create an inclusive society where people recognise and respect each other’s differences and enjoy sports together, regardless of disabilities.”
They’re not just running an event. They’re building a movement - one rooted in equity, accessibility, and the power of sport to connect people across languages and cultures.
Why this matters beyond sport
Whether it’s the Deaflympics, Special Olympics, or Paralympics, these events do more than spotlight athletic talent. They challenge society’s idea of who belongs, who is visible, and who gets celebrated.
If inclusion is only ever reactive - an afterthought - we end up excluding the very people we claim to support. But when inclusion is designed in, everything changes. That’s what the Deaflympics show us.
This isn’t about charity. It’s about change.
Tips: how to amplify awareness and allyship
Here are a few simple ways to help shift the spotlight:
Talk about it: Mention the Deaflympics in your workplace, school, or social circle. Most people haven’t even heard of it, awareness starts with conversation.
Diversify your sports coverage: Follow Deaf athletes on social media or watch event highlights. Celebrate their achievements the same way you would any elite sportsperson.
Use the right language: Avoid lumping all disability sports together. Each event (Paralympics, Special Olympics, Deaflympics) serves different communities with different needs.
Connect sport to systems: Use this as a springboard to talk about access and inclusion more broadly - in education, employment, healthcare, and culture.
Recommendations
An interview with two GB Deaflympics medal hopefuls - a 16 minute watch
Watch the live stream of the Deaflympics here
Visit the official Deaflympics 2025 site for more information - www.deaflympics2025.com/en
Watch a short BBC documentary about the Special Olympics earlier in the year in Turin
A final thought
The Deaflympics won’t be on primetime TV. You won’t see endless headlines. But they matter - to the athletes, to the community, and to the idea that sport belongs to everyone.
So if you’ve never heard of them before, now’s the time.
Watch. Share. Talk about it.
Because visibility starts with each of us.
Speak soon,
Jess
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