MPs are urging the Government to end the inequity that leaves
elite deaf athletes as the only group of British disabled elite
sports competitors with no access to public funding.
In a letter to the Secretary
of State following the medal-winning success of the UK's
Deaflympians in Tokyo last month, the Culture, Media and
Sport Committee calls for a £3million package to support
athletes in the run-up to the next games, alongside a longer-term
funding commitment that recognises the Deaflympics in the same
way as the Paralympics and Olympics.
The recommendation follow an evidence session in
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 Committee has also written to companies with
a history of sponsoring elite athletes to understand why
obtaining sponsorship is so challenging for elite deaf athletes.
Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame MP, said:
“The fantastic achievements of British Deaflympians in Tokyo is
testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented deaf
elite athletes. Their success is even more remarkable given the
unacceptable lack of a level playing field when it comes to
public funding. It's high time that the Government stopped
playing Scrooge and committed to giving our deaf sporting
superstars both the recognition and the financial support they
deserve, so they can reach their full potential and inspire
generations to come.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
Last month the Committee wrote to sports
broadcasters over the absence of any planned coverage of the
Tokyo games. Responses are available here.
