Comité International des Sports des Sourds


Comité International des Sports des Sourds is the apex body organizing international sports events for the deaf, particularly the Deaflympics. It is also called the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf.
The organization was founded in Paris by Eugène Rubens-Alcais, who organized the first "International Silent Games" in 1924. Alcais was himself deaf and was the president of the French Deaf Sports Federation.
CISS, now also called ICSD, is headquartered in Maryland, USA.

History

The early pioneers of the international deaf sports movement were Eugène Rubens-Alcais and Antoine Dresse.
The first Summer Games were held in Paris in 1924, it started with 148 athletes from 9 countries. And the first Winter Games were instituted in 1949 at Seefeld, Austria, it attracted 33 athletes from 5 countries.
In 1935, Japan joins CISS as the first Asian member and the United States as first North American member. Australia and New Zealand joined later in 1955 as first Oceania members. The first African member were South Africa, in 1975.

Events

Deaflympics

The Deaflympics are an International Olympic Committee -sanctioned event at which deaf athletes compete at an elite level.

Presidents