Russia's Rukhledev Announces His Bid For 2005 CISS/Deaflympics Presidency

From: Rukhledev - Oct 6, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Attention: MEDIA

RUSSIA'S RUKHLEDEV ANNOUNCES HIS BID FOR 2005 CISS/DEAFLYMPICS PRESIDENCY

Moscow, Russia - Valery Rukhledev, a deaf sports hero and long time and prominent sports executive in Russia and Europe, has declared his intention to run for the highest office of the President of the CISS/Deaflympics.

The elections are scheduled to be held during the coming January 4, 2005 39th CISS Congress in Melbourne, Australia.

Rukhledev is one of the most illustrious and unique personalities in the deaf world history.

In his youth, Rukhledev was a world class athlete: as a high-profiled member of the Soviet Union delegation, he won six gold medals at the Deaflympic Summer Games between 1969 and 1977 in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling; he was the European and Soviet Union champion among the hearing people in judo and sambo. In 2001, the CISS International Selections Commission named Rukhledev as one of the world's top ten greatest deaf athletes of the century.

As an executive and administrator, Ruhkledev, after the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991, founded the Russian Deaf Sports Union in 1993. Under his leadership and guidance, between 1993 and 2003 Russian athletes have amassed many gold, silver and bronze medals in various sports at both the Deaflympic Summer and Winter Games as well as in the European championships and other international meets.

Under Rukhledev's able administration and management, the Russian Deaf Sports Union has annually and separately been organizing national championships among the deaf adults and juniors in 22 different sports.

Since 1987, Rukhledev has also been involved as one of the top leaders of the European Deaf Sports Organization ( EDSO ). He has also since 1987 been regularly attending the CISS Congresses as a highly-visible and well-respected delegate of the Soviet Union and Russia.

For his tremendous and innovative work for the cause of the sports among the deaf people, the IOC twice awarded Rukhledev with its Diploma and Certificate.

Currently, Rukhledev is the President of the VOG ( National Deaf Association of Russia ), which is one of the most powerful and influential organizatiions among the deaf in the world.

Commented one prominent and long-time CISS/Deaflympis watcher, " Rukhledev's announcement to run for the CISS Presidency is a very enlightening news. Since 1971 and to now the CISS has been led by the non-European-born CISS Presidents. Now, it is time for the sports-loving continent of Europe to have a new CISS President coming from Europe."

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