CSUSOP: No Prize Money For Deaflympians-!!!
“ We made a significant commitment in the Operation Gold funding when we created equity and parity with Paralympians. So, I think it's accurate to say that the individual amount to an individual athlete – I don't know what the history of that change has been – but the organization did make a significant commitment to create equity for Paralympians and increased our overall Operation Gold funding significantly in doing that. And that's an important thing.” Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), told the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics (CSUSOP) at the September 6, 2023, public hearing.
Zero???? The simple reason is that the USOPC omits the Deaflympics in its program, even though the International Olympic Committee recognized the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf in 1955 (69 years ago-!)
Yes, most nations have offered prize money to their medal-winning Deaflympians.
Former President of the Republic of China Ma Ying-jeo told the newspaper in 2009:
"I also hope that all physically and mentally disabled people will get out of their homes to enjoy sunshine and exercise."
Could you read what Ma ordered the Sports Affairs Council to do for his Deaflympians?
NT $750,000 (U.S. $23,000) sparked Tennis Player Ho Chiu-mei to get two golds, three silvers, and three bronzes in FOUR Deaflympics in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2022. She is 61-YEARS-OLD-!!!!!!!!
In Uzbekistan, a national publication ran an article about three bronze medalists participating in the 2022 Deaflympics not getting any award from their government. But, on December 30, 2023. On December 30, the Ministry of Youth Policy and Sports awarded 10,000 dollars to each medalist.
Indian Deaflympic medalists are included in the "Scheme of Cash Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and Their Coaches." Their prizes are the same as the Olympians and Paralympians.
In explaining why deaf representation on the USA team is so low, Deaflympian Runner Emily Wilson said, "We lack representation because so many people quit sports or never try it because of their fear and lack of accommodations."
The Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 requires the CSUSOP to assess the finances and the financial organization of the USOPC.
The CSUSOP should know the one objective of the Indian scheme is “to act as inspiring role models for attracting the younger generation to take up sports.’’
Emily Wilson’s Advice to Younger Deaf Athletes
To the younger generation of deaf athletes who might be too nervous to try out, Wilson said to try EVERYTHING and meet EVERYONE.
“The world isn’t going to wait on us. Instead we need to go take the world on! It’s up to us to make our own opportunities. What you’re putting into it will be what you get out of it. What if you’re missing out on the best thing in your life simply because you didn’t try or didn’t keep pushing forward? I’m not the fastest runner and may never run professionally, but I at least want to take this program in the right direction, bring people in, and show deaf kids that sports ARE meant for them.”
Since the enactment of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1998, the USOPC has yet to recognize “Deaflympics” and support the Deaflympians. However, the former American Athletic Association of the Deaf benefited from the USO(P)C from 1978 to 1998 under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978. One benefit was to fund partly the Office of the Executive Director. The USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) currently has no Executive Director.
Could the CSUSOP recommend that the USOPC give our forgotten Deaflympians the identical amounts as the Olympians and Paralympians?
“We are proud to wear the letters “USA” across our chests, and Today, we are calling on our country to have our backs. Nothing about us without us,” closed USADSF President Jeff Mansfield at the CSUSOP hearing.
