ICSD calls for peace ahead of the 2021 Summer Deaflympics in Brazil

The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) is among the latest International Federation to follow the recommendations set out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in response to the involvement of Russia and Belarus in the invasion of Ukraine.

On 05 March 2022, a meeting was held by the ICSD Executive Board to discuss the conflict taking place in Ukraine as Russian forces continue to attack Ukrainian cities with Belarus assisting in the invasion. The ICSD Executive Board described the sport is an instrument for mission to "promote peace through sports" by adhering to the IOC's recommendations. The ICSD wished to express its solidarity with the deaf sports community in Ukraine and all the people affected by the war.

In this situation, the ICSD Executive Board has decided that no deaf athletes or officials belonging to the ICSD full members in Russia and Belarus shall be, with immediate effect, invited or allowed to participate in international competitions in the ICSD calendar until further notice.

The announced exclusion of the teams from Russia and Belarus brings considerable economic impacts to the organisation of the 2021 Caxias Summer Deaflympics. The Organizing Committee decided to cancel of Bowling program, due to the established technical requirements, requires a very high investment and from which nothing will be left with a legacy. Additionally, economic team of the 2021 Summer Deaflympics Organising Committee is working on reducing other lines of expenses that do not interfere with the quality and delivery of other sports and infrastructure.

Gustavo Perazzolo, ICSD President, said: "We are greatly concerned about our National Deaf Sports Federation of Ukraine and Deaf athletes from Ukraine. The world must be a place for sharing, not for dividing".