Board member resigns from ICSD

Published Date

Dwight Benedict, a board member of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) since 2010 has announced his resignation, which is effective immediately. Mr. Benedict states ICSD's current financial affairs and the ICSD's current administration disregard of the board members as the primary reasons for his resignation.

Mr. Benedict has been actively involved with winter sports for many years in different capacities such as being the United States Ski Team Leader in 1995, 1999, and 2003; United States Team Director for the 1987 and 1991 Winter Deaflympics; and CEO of the highly successful 2007 Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He is currently employed at Gallaudet University as a Dean of Student Affairs.

Mr. Benedict expressed concerns about how the bequest from Jerald Jordan for home office use is being handled and the current deficit that ICSD is facing. He also states that the ICSD's decision to close the current headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, USA is not being handled properly as it has not been approved by the board. Mr. Benedict believes that his objections over use of funds, parliamentarian issues, and other issues were not addressed and disregarded by the ICSD administration.

Dwight's resignation only adds to the list of individuals with years of invaluable knowledge of deaf international sports that is not easily transferrable who are no longer associated with ICSD.

Argentina objects to Turkey's bid for 2017 Deaflympics

Published Date

The Argentine Deaf Sports Confereration (CADES) and Buenos Aires Bid Committee for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics has stated their intent to object to the bid which ICSD recently received from Turkey along with a 30 million guarantee from the government. SportsMX has obtained a copy of CADES letter of objection which is shown below.

Letter of Objection

2017 Summer Deaflympics Bid Process

Dear ICSD Full members:

The Argentine Deaf Sports Confederation (CADES) and Buenos Aires Bid Committee for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics, wish to inform all national deaf sports federations who are in good standing as full members of ICSD that we are objecting to the recent actions by Mr. Mark Cooper, ICSD Chief Executive Officer, in regards to the bid process for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics. We just learned that Turkey was recently contacted by ICSD to submit a bid for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.

As you already know, ICSD has an established set of deadlines for the bidding process for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics. ICSD extended an invitation to all ICSD National Deaf Sports Federation members, cities such as Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, private event organizers, and corporate partners.

As a result of the invitation, two cities – Barcelona and Buenos Aires – expressed interest to ICSD and fulfilled the ICSD’s  bidding requirements, such as submitting their candidature packet to ICSD, organizing a site inspection visit by ICSD representatives and distributing the candidature informational book to ICSD full members prior to the Congress in Slovakia.

On August 5^th, Mr. Cooper informed us that Barcelona 2017 had definitively withdrawn from Deaflympics bidding.  Later, he retracted his statement. This week we learned during Mr. Cooper’s visit to Buenos Aires that ICSD has pursued and accepted Turkey’s bid for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.

We are intensely opposed to Turkey’s last minute bid for several valid reasons, as shown below:

1. The bid process with deadlines for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics was well defined and stringently followed since 2009.

2. Both Barcelona and Buenos Aires developed and disseminated their candidature booklet to all Full members at least 2 months prior to the Congress in Slovakia.

3. The ICSD representatives made a site visit to Barcelona and Buenos Aires and distributed their evaluation reports to full members prior to the Congress in Slovakia.

4. Full members have yet to receive a candidature booklet from Turkey as a candidate city or site visit/evaluation reports from ICSD.

5. Each candidate city has been treated with a different set of rules and deadlines.

6. Barcelona and Buenos Aires have been working for more than two years in their candidatures; Turkey has been working for less than a month.

7. We have invested many thousands of dollars in the whole bid process; this has not been the case with Turkey.

8. There may be serious economic and legal consequences for ICSD, as it is violating article D3.4-Deaflympics regulations: Deadline for bid submissions shall be determined by the EC and announced at least twelve (12) months prior to the deadline. None law could be applied retroactively.

9. If Barcelona and Buenos Aires do not obtain a financial guarantee, then Turkey might be the third option. However, only Barcelona and Buenos Aires should be allowed to compete in the Congress. Turkey needs to wait for the approval of the guarantees of the other candidates, which have been approved since February 2010 by ICSD.

10. It is a shame that ICSD, which needs badly to improve its image after the sad events in Slovakia, should act this way. This is serious, as we believe this is a step back for the organization, just two weeks ahead of the announcement of the bid winner.

There is an article in the ICSD constitution numbered 14 for Dispute Resolution.

It is read as “If any dispute arises concerning the construction of this Constitution or any matter arising from it and any disciplinary matters, then such dispute shall solely and exclusively be resolved by the Congress. The decision of the Congress will be final and binding on the parties and it is agreed that neither party will institute or maintain proceedings in any court or tribunal beyond the Congress.”

Therefore, we will present our formal objection at the Congress in Rome. We believe you will understand and support our case.

See you in two weeks in Rome!

Horacio Aleva                    Walter Vazquez

Barcelona to bid for 2017 Deaflympics

Published Date

SportsMX has received a copy of the official announcement below regarding Barcelona's plans to bid for the 2017 Deaflympics.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE SPANISH FEDERATION OF SPORTS FOR THE DEAF

Barcelona, September 2, 2011.

By this letter I have the great pleasure to announce formally that Barcelona's candidature to host the Deaflympics 2017 will be present at the 43rd Congress of the ICSD which will be held in Rome on 13 to September15 after a long meeting held today and after we received a written confirmation.

Both FEDS, FESC and FESOCA have made a great effort to convince the new municipal government of Barcelona City Council of the great importance of this project which will be presented to the delegates of the member countries of the ICSD because it will mean great advances in many aspects of the sport of deaf people as well as the strong social dimension that would reach if it is the chosen city.

Is an illusion that I would like to share with all deaf people in our country and the different administrations, both public and private organizations, to work together to achieve the best for our future and our real inclusion in the society.

Kind regards,

Pedro García Sanz,

President of the FEDS

Turkey withdraws bid for 2013 Summer Deaflympics

Published Date

Turkey has withdrawn its bid to host 2013 Summer Deaflympics, world summer games for the deaf, and made a new bid to host the event in 2017, officials said on Thursday.

Organization of the 2013 Summer Deaflympics was given to Greece but Greek authorities had withdrawn due to financial crisis in the country. Read full story.

No financial support for 2013 Deaflympics from Greek Government

Published Date

Athens, GRE - Four years after being awarded the right to host the 2013 Deaflympics, the Greek 

government has formally confirmed that it will not provide financial support for the games. The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf will now consider alternatives to Greece as a host country.

In a meeting with representatives of ICSD and the Hellenic Athletic Federation of the Deaf today, Greek Deputy Minister of Health and Social Solidarity Christos Aidonis confirmed a decision taken by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou not to fund the Athens 2013 Deaflympics. Read full article.