Elite deaf athletes and the Deaflympics: MPs to hear from UK Deaf Sport and athletes on funding disparity

Tuesday 14 October, 10am, Committee Room 16, Palace of Westminster 

MPs will explore the reasons for the disparity in public funding for elite deaf athletes and Deaflympians compared with those competing in the Olympics, Special Olympics and Paralympics.

The session was suggested as part of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's State of Play inquiry, which invited ideas from across the sector on what MPs should be examining.

Elite athletes training for or competing at the Deaflympics receive no funding or support from the Government, unlike those involved at the three other IOC sanctioned events in the Olympic family. Additionally, Deaf athletes are not included in any of the Paralympic classifications and so consequently cannot compete unless they have another Paralympic disability.

The hearing, which will feature Deaflympic swimmers Nathan Young and Henry Hughes, alongside UK Deaf Sport CEO Chris Radcliffe, will explore the challenges faced by deaf people, in terms of both sporting participation and competing at an elite level.

It will examine the approach of the Government, the possible reasons for a reluctance to fund elite deaf athletes and the potential long-term benefits of a change in position.

Witnesses

From 10.00am:

• Chris Ratcliffe, CEO, UK Deaf Sport
• Nathan Young, Deaflympic swimmer
• Henry Hughes, Deaflympic swimmer