Do you see any other communities experiencing the same issues? ‘No. We are the only disabled elite sports group that have no access to funding whatsoever. I think that’s shameful.’

Chris Ratcliffe, UK Deaf Sport Chief Executive Officer.

On Tuesday 14th October UK Deaf Sport Chief Executive Officer Chris Ratcliffe attended the Culture, Media and Sport Commons Select Committee in Parliament to give evidence at the State of Play Enquiry.

Alongside deaf athletes Henry Hughes and Nathan Young, Chris spent over an hour answering questions on why the Deaflympics isn’t treated equally to the Olympics and Paralympics.

MP’s asked Chris, Nathan and Henry to give evidence on the history of the Deaflympics and why it isn’t part of the Paralympics, as well as questions on whether deaf athletes compete in the Olympics. 

Chris explained the Deaflympics proud, 100 year history and that it has been in existence much longer than the Paralympics. He spoke on the differences between the Deaflympics, Olympics and Paralympics and how deaf athletes are unable to compete on a level playing field in the Olympics and do not even have a classification in the Paralympics.

The question was also raised as to whether athletes would prefer to have a better funded elite sport programme specific to deaf people or be fully integrated in some way into the Paralympics? The answer on this from both Nathan and Henry was firm: 

‘I absolutely do not want to be part of the Paralympics. We were the first ones here. We’re very proud to be part of the Deaflympics. Integration would actually cut the number of athletes able to compete.’ Henry Hughes, Deaflympian

Support for Deaf Athletes

The Committee wanted to understand the funding options available to deaf athletes and the wider Deaflympics campaign, both now and in the past.

‘It’s quite a short story. No elite deaf athlete has ever been funded by the central Government for the Deaflympics. Full stop.’ Chris Ratcliffe

Both Henry and Nathan spoke powerfully about their experiences as deaf athletes. With Henry also able to bring a wider perspective, having also competed for Australia in the past.

‘The only support I get is people’s sympathy. I’m at the point where I don’t want people’s sympathy anymore – I want action.’ Henry Hughes

Chris went on to describe the Fair Play campaign, which was launched by UK Deaf Sport in November 2023, asking for government support for deaf sport and deaf athletes. Despite the request being for funding far smaller than that awarded to Olympic and Paralympic sports they have received no government response to the campaign. 

‘This next Deaflympics we have an influx of new, young swimmers coming in. I look at them and think, I know what their future’s going to be. They’re going to have to go through discrimination after discrimination. They’re not going to have a future and they will probably, eventually have to quit.’ Nathan Young

When the question was raised as to how much funding was needed Chris was able to tell them that £450,000 had been needed for the team to get to the Tokyo Deaflympics this November. 

Despite huge efforts from UK Deaf Sport and the wider deaf community only one third of that figure was raised by fundraising and sponsorship. The other two thirds had to be raised by the athletes themselves.

UK Deaf Sport are asking for £3 million for the full cycle of the 2029 Deaflympics campaign. Less than 1% of the figure that UK Sport has awarded for the Olympics and Paralympics in one cycle.

‘Other countries manage to equally fund deaf athletes and paralympic athletes. It shouldn’t be us fitting around everyone else, society should fit around us. Trust deaf people to do what they know best.’ Nathan Young, Deaflympian

Funding Challenges

The MP’s were keen to hear more about why there is a reluctance to fund deaf sport and why bringing in sponsors is so tough. 

The trio explained that corporate sponsors want a return on their investment and they simply don’t see they will get that, due to the lack of visibility of deaf sport. They have often never heard of the Deaflympics and some even think it’s a scam.

‘Other countries in Europe and Asia, their Governments recognise deaf sports on the same standing as the Olympics and Paralympics and they treat their Olympians, Paralympians and Deaflympians on the same standing.’ Chris Ratcliffe

It was pointed out what a change funding and investment has made to women’s sport in recent years. Women’s sport is far more visible for the funding and therefore sponsors come forward. In addition, women see role models they never saw before. The same should happen for deaf athletes, so young deaf people see that sport is for them too.

‘Deafness is a very complex disability. In sport we are considered able bodied, with an impairment but in society we are disabled. It is a very unique set of circumstances that requires a lot of understanding and awareness.’ Henry Hughes 

Henry and Nathan were also able to speak on the importance of having deaf role models in sport and how that has changed their courses in life.

The Visibility of Deaf Sport

When the question was posed about live broadcasting of the upcoming Deaflympics, Chris spoke on the fact that, although SignVideo and Lumo will be providing amazing coverage there will be no live broadcasting of the games.

Chris pointed out the circular nature of funding and visibility in sport;

‘In London 2012, that was the first games where we had the Paralympics profiled in much the same way as the Olympics. What was amazing for me personally was the BBC lost out in the bidding for that to Channel 4. That’s because there was bidding, not just, can a broadcaster host it!’ Chris Ratcliffe

Henry’s direct reply, above, to the question of how the government has addressed the inequalities people with disabilities face in sport and activity shines a spotlight on just why they were there to speak.

Chris, Nathan and Henry were proud to have been able to offer vital insights into the challenges and opportunities facing deaf individuals in sport.

‘I am grateful for the support of Nathan Young & Henry VV Hughes DLY who spoke so eloquently about the challenges they have faced as deaf athletes.

The board and staff at UK Deaf Sport have worked incredibly hard over the years to raise our cause in the right way to the extent that today’s Committee were able to recognise the disparity that our Elite Deaf Athletes have faced for the last 20 yrs.’ Chris Ratcliffe

Watch the full Parliamentary session here.