Every 4 years, the Deaflympics takes place. This year, the Games will be held in Taipei, China on September 5 – 15th, 2009. There are over 80 countries participating, with nearly 4,000 Deaf competitors. The first Deaflympics was held in 1924 in Paris, France. There were only 145 athletes, and 9 European countries, represented. At one time, The Deaflympics was called “World Games for the Deaf”.
In order for a country to host The Deaflympics, it must apply 6 years in advance. The next Deaflympics will be held in Athens, Greece, in 2012.
For more information on The Deaflympics, go to http://www.2009deaflympics.org/