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Deaflympics: Everything you need to know

Athletes compete during the semifinal of the 4x400m Relay in the Deaflympics, in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, on May 13, 2022.Getty Images

The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will take place between 15-26 November.

Athletes from all around the world will compete in seven sports: athletics, football, golf, swimming, cycling, shooting and tennis.

As well as being the first time the Games are held in Japan, it is the 100th anniversary of the event.

What are the Deaflympics? Who will be taking part? What do you need to know? Keep reading to find out.

What are the Deaflympics?

Imamettin Sunmez (21) of Turkey in action during the Men's final football match between Turkey and Ukraine.Getty Images

Deaflympics is a word made up of Deaf + Olympics

The name Deaflympics is made up of the words Deaf and Olympics.

Every four years, the event brings together deaf athletes from across the world to compete across seven different sports.

The Games are organised by deaf people for deaf people.

During the competition visual signals are used to replace auditory cues.

For example, starting guns in athletics are replaced with flashing lights, and referee whistles in sports, like football, are replaced with flag signals.

Athletes must have a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in their better ear to qualify.

Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other similar devices are not allowed during competition, to ensure fair competition.

100th anniversary of the first Deaflympics

Athletes in the 100m race crossing the finish line at Stade de Preshing, Paris in 1924.Comité Eugène Rubens-Alcais

Athletes in the 100m race crossing the finish line at Stade de Preshing, Paris

The first Deaflympics were held in Paris in 1924.

That makes them the second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival in the world.

The Games were originally known as the International Silent Games, and started with 148 athletes from nine European nations.

The event has now grown and unites more than 2,500 athletes from around the globe.

The GB Deaflympics Team

15-year-old Charlotte Gower, swimmer.UkDeafSport

15-year-old Charlotte Gower is representing GB at the Deaflympics

The DeaflympicsGB Team will be sending 100 athletes and support staff to the games in Tokyo.

They will be representing GB in all of the seven events.

Swimmer 15-year-old Charlotte Gower is one of those athletes.

She said: "​​I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to represent team GB and am looking forward to competing in Tokyo."