International

CDSA plans and prepares to send its national teams to the Winter and Summer Deaflympics sanctioned by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD).

Introduction and eligibility

Our organization works in collaboration with national sports organizations for the selection of athletes, coaches and officials. The CDSA is responsible for sending national teams to different sports events recognized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD).

The ICSD is the main governing body responsible for the organization of Deaflympics and World Deaf Championships. Founded in 1924 and known as the CISS (Comité International des Sports des Sourds), the ICSD is now approaching the century mark of being the organization behind the building, evolving and fortifying the tradition of inviting Deaf/hard of hearing elite athletes from all of the world to come together.

Participants in the Deaflympics, Pan American Deaf Games and various international competitions must be:

  • Deaf, with a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in the better ear (average frequency of 3 tones at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, ISO 1969 Standard). An official ICSD audiogram is mandatory
  • Be a Canadian citizen
  • Have a valid passport
  • There is no age limit for competitors. However, age restrictions may apply for particular sports or events, as mentioned in the International Sports Federation regulations.

Sports recognized by the ICSD

More than 20 sports are recognized by the ICSD. The CDSA prioritizes the participation of its athletes and national team delegations in the following disciplines:

Click on the image
Sports list update: February 2023
Source: International Committee of Sports for the Deaf