French Deaf Athletes
Mike
ICSD remains committed to find solution for French Deaf Athletes
On 5 March, International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD)
President, Craig Crowley and Vice President of World Sports, Josef
Wilmerdinger, met with Federation Francaise Handisport (FFH) President
Gerard Masson and his representatives to discuss possible resolution
of ICSD statutes which France needed to clarify their role and
position. FFH wished to apply conditions which ICSD could only support
if they had self-governing role for French Deaf Sport under auspices
of FFH. If FHH agreed to work on those proposed solutions ICSD would
be satisfied to lift the imposed suspension within the next three to
six months.
However FFH refused to accept this suggestion and terminated the
meeting. ICSD very much regrets their decision despite the fact that,
as international governing body of Deaflympics, both President and
Vice President came to Paris in a good faith to assist FFH with
potential resolution but this was not possible.
ICSD is concerned about French Deaf Sports so we plan to take further
advice with the Legal Commission, IOC and CAS to seek clarification as
regards their lack of respect for ICSD statutes and the well being of
the French Deaf athletes.
ICSD remain committed to ensure the French as well as other
International Deaf athletes get their equality of opportunity and will
pursue this with IPC to secure further development in our existing
Memorandum Of Understanding.