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After Covid caused it's postponement, the biggest sport event for the deaf community, the Deaflympics, took place in Brazil at the beginning of May.

The event brings together athletes from all over the world competing in everything from swimming to athletics, but deaf sport isn't part of the Paralympic Games and as such hasn't seen the same kind of growth in interest, publicity and funding for its athletes, many of whom are struggling with the financial burden.

Swimmer Nathan Young who use the hash tag #ICanSeeTheLightningButICantHearTheThunder is a Deaflympics bronze medallist, and told Sportshour’s Caroline Barker that he's considering his future in sport because of the cost.

Transcription:

Nathan: Being a deaf child, growing up I was embarrassed and shy and I didn’t like being deaf. Going to sport made me come out of my shell, and specifically swimming. I couldn’t play team sports like football; I tried to play football, and I couldn’t hear people shouting my name and stuff. Swimming specifically gave me that individual aspect to it where it’s all on me and I didn’t have to listen to anyone.

Caroline: As you say, that progress of things. I wonder whether there was anything you saw, or were you aware of Deaflympics? Or, was it the Paralympics that you looked to and thought actually, I could go and complete?

Nathan: When I was in school, I had loads of problems and I was home schooled for a year, and I quit swimming because I just wasn’t happy with anything. When I went back when I was 15, that’s when I found out about the Deaflympics, and def sport as a whole. I looked at myself and looked at swimming and thought ‘You know what? I want to go to the Deaflympics.’ And I did two or three years later.

Caroline: What was it about Deaflympics that made you think I want to go and do that?

Nathan: Because we’re not allowed in the Paralympics. There’s no category for us, and I wanted to be able to compete against my peers in the deaf world. Looking at Deaflympics as a whole, that’s the main reason I went. To be honest, just to meet thousands of deaf people from all over the world and different walks of life and compete against the best deaf athletes in the world and challenge them like any other disabilities would do in the Paralympics.

Caroline: The Paralympics gets loads of attention because, I guess, it follows straight after the Olympics as well. Do you think Deaflympics gets enough attention?

Nathan: It took me until I was 15 to know about it, so I think that shows you everything you need to know about it. It’s not got enough publicity, and when there’s publicity the money and sponsorship follow. I currently got no funding or sponsorship, so the answer to that question: No, I don’t think it’s got enough publicity at all – deaf sport, not just Deaflympics, World Championships, European Championships. We are the first sporting event for the people with special needs, and obviously the Paralympics came into its own and started getting its funding, and we’ve just been left behind.

Caroline: So what would you say to those that are in positions of power all over the world about the sport that you love, and supporting the sport that you love?

Nathan: Look for ways that they could support us financially. Back in 2019, I went to Poland for the World Short Course Championships and overall, it probably ended up costing £5000-£6000. I had to raise that through things such as race nights and donations. The fact that I’ve done that since 2015, I can’t keep asking people for money.

Caroline: How tough is it, Nathan? Do you think you might have to walk away from the sport if you don’t get funding?

Nathan: Yeah. It’s definitely tough. It’s helped me so much and it’s still helping me to this day by giving me confidence in all aspects of my life. I think if I was to leave this now, I’d feel like a failure, especially having not medalled individually. Obviously, I did get a Deaflympics medal as part of the relay, but it would feel like there was something missing. I’ll always have that regret of not continuing.

Photo: Swimmer Nathan Young competes for Great Britain. (Credit: Nathan Young)

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