MPs have written to sports
broadcasters over the absence of any advertised coverage of
the 2025 Deaflympics which takes place in Tokyo next month.
The letter to the heads of sport at the BBC, ITV, Channel 4,
Channel 5 and Sky, follows an evidence session on 14
October focussing on the disparity in public funding for
elite deaf athletes and Deaflympians compared with those
competing in the Olympics, Special Olympics and
Paralympics.
The correspondence highlights how the lack of awareness of the
Deaflympics also extends to sports broadcasters in the UK, who do
not appear to be covering the games.
The broadcasters are asked what consideration they gave to
applying to broadcast the 2025 Deaflympics, whether there are
plans to show highlights or clips and whether there will be any
coverage as part of news or other outputs.
Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame MP, said:
“Seeing the Paralympics on our screens has had a transformative
effect on the public's perception of the challenges faced by
disabled people. The lack of planned coverage of next month's
Deaflympics is a missed opportunity to make a similar impact,
improve the representation of deaf people in public life and make
sure all our incredibly talented and dedicated British athletes
get the recognition they deserve.”
The Committee will be raising the funding for elite deaf athletes
with the Government and other stakeholders in the run up to the
opening of the Tokyo Deaflympics on 15 November 2025.
