BT Broadband raises profile of Deaflympics athletes

From: Net4nowt - UK - Nov 3, 2004

Wednesday 03 November 2004, 09:16:19
United Kingdom
Written by Net 4 Nowt

UK Deaf Sport is proud to announce the sponsorship of Broadband from BT to help raise the profile of the Great Britain Deaflympics athletes' quest for gold in Melbourne.

Between January 5 to16, 2005, 3,500 deaf and hard of hearing athletes and team officials from 90 countries will participate in 15 different individual and team sporting events at the 20th summer Deaflympic Games in Melbourne.

The British Team is fielding over 80 athletes, many of whom are medal contenders, to participate in eight sporting disciplines.

The Deaflympic Games, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, is the second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival on earth and has a long and illustrious history since its inaugural Games in Paris in 1924.

Thanks to BT's support, the British Deaflympic team will have a full media presence at the Games. The team will be able to send news and photos, as events happen, directly to the UK Deaf Sport web site – www.ukdeafsport.org.uk - during the two weeks of the Games.

Prior to the Games kick off, the web site will also include facts and full statistics about the British team's star performers.

Alison Ritchie, chief broadband officer at BT, said: "Broadband is of enormous benefit to the communications needs of deaf users. BT has been investing heavily in getting broadband to more than 99 per cent of the UK population.

"The British Deaflympics team fields some of the world's most talented athletes and broadband from BT is a fundamental communication tool in supporting them in their bid for gold. I wish them every success."

Derek Simmons, president of UK Deaf Sport, said: "Broadband internet technology plays a huge part in deaf and hard of hearing peoples' lives as we rely so much on visual information and it will play a huge role in offering up to date information during the Deaflympics. It is also a good way to communicate."

Maria Eagle, Minister for Disabled People, said: "Being deaf is not a barrier to achievement and no one should think otherwise. The Deaflympics demonstrates sporting ability and helps challenge misconceptions about deafness and disability. The government is committed to improving the rights of deaf people and has provided £1.5 million funding for British Sign Language projects across the country. I wish the British Deaflympics team the best of luck with their bid for gold."

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