Turkey in the last couple years have faced
some challenges with ISIS and the military coup. Although
Samsun has been peaceful, its location being far away from
the south and Istanbul, Deaflympics Organizing
Committee has established intensive security measures. Over 3 thousand
security guards were employed just for the Opening Ceremony
We have been secure.
This, however, appears to impact many Americans' efforts
and decision on whether to participate in this year's Deaflympics.
USA is only competing in men and women:
Volleyball, track, and swimming, along with a few other sports like cycling.
There are only 91 athletes this year. There is
no basketball, futball, or handball this year.
H3 World TV interviewed Lynn Boren, head coach
of the USA women volleyball team, to understand this story better.
My name is Lynn Boren. American Volleyball Coach for women.
Why did the volleyball teams come while others
like futball did not come?
Well-- my heart is broken. After the World
Championships for volleyball, both women and men
volleyball teams made a serious commitment to attend
Deaflympics-- giving us one year to plan. I see that the
volleyball players worked hard to be able to go.
Other sport teams were not as
committed, factoring in fear of safety in Turkey.
Our Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) had no leadership.
America's problem is our federation, not
so much the other factors.
How does USADSF support your team to attend Deaflympics?
There are a few people at USADSF who
really support us, and there are
others who disagree with each other. Our media
is also a factor where Americans misunderstand or misinterpret situations.
I came to Samsun in February-- and I
was a bit worried about what I
would see. My perspective changed, everything was great!
I was happy. I went back to USA and told people about
my experience, convincing them to go.
Individual athletes--in sports like athletics, swimming, or table
tennis-- can join Deaflympics at the last minute
without problems. But team sports like futball,
handball, and basketball, must commit before February, so it is
too late for them.
Maybe Americans who have to pay themselves are
more motivated to make their money's worth. Or
if they get money they are less motivated?
That's an easy answer. If we had monetary
support, that would increase our motivation. I can see the difference.
Last year we played against Ukraine-- a strong
team--and this year I can see that they are
even stronger. They have trained hard all year.
We only had one week to train together.
All over USA, we are passionate about sports,
but it is hard to find the time to travel to train together, and we
do not have a budget for this. People back out, and
we are left with a smaller group of people. Those who come here to
Deaflympics have a big heart for sports.
How do the athletes commit to training?
Do they volunteer their time off from work?
Many people do not participate, or quit. Money
is the main reason. As a coach I fundraise and ask for
donations. I spend a lot of time looking for money.
It is energy consuming and mentally tiring. Now I am
shifting focus on training and coaching my team.
It is a different process.
Do you have any advice for future athletes or about Turkey?
I have been here for five days.
We, Americans, now "laugh." We think other Americans back
at home and USADSF should have followed the same
system as USOC [United States Olympic Committee].
USOC makes sure that going to Olympics is separate from politics.
At the last hearing Olympic games at Rio, there
were many problems. USOC made sure that the athletes
could still go and compete in a healthy competition.
USADSF is not as organized. I think for
the next time, the country's politics should stay out
of Deaflympics. We only have this opportunity
once every four years. My heart is broken for this time,
but I move on with my volleyball team.
I am really happy that Men Volleyball could come!
For the last [12 years] they did not have a team, but returned this year!
I am happy to see them form a team and come.
Americans should thank the few who are here
at Deaflympics representing USA. I hope that in the future more
athletes will be determined to go.
Thanks.
Bye!
USADSF President is not here for Deaflympics, so
we interviewed previous President of USADSF, Jack Lamerton,
who resigned last year for personal
reasons and to run for ICSD Executive Board.
He is now the Vice President for Youth Sports at ICSD.
Thank you. I look forward to applying my different skills to youth
sports. I know that USA and the rest of the world needs youth.
Without youth, the future of Deaflympics becomes uncertain.
USADSF has changed because the interest in running
for board member position is declining. Some people who are interested
lack experience or knowledge. Our board system has changed, and now
we appoint members according to their skills and knowledge, such as
budgeting. It does not guarantee the best, but better than before, when
anyone could run for position without knowledge.
Last year July Turkey had a bad image in USA media.
I contacted the government, the US Department of State, and they
hesitatingly remained neutral but advised us about security.
So, in July, only 30 to 40 athletes were committed to go to Turkey.
We have been advocating for more athletes to attend,
and now we have 91 athletes. We were hoping for
225 athletes. People asked us about that, and I also say that if the
government supported us with money, more athletes would attend.
But for athletes to pay for themselves at the risk of danger...
Yes, there is some danger, but it is the same in USA.
It is just as safe/unsafe. I am sorry that these athletes missed
the opportunity to come here. I am happy for those who
came, sad for those who did not.
That is disappointing-- only a small number this year.
Have you thought about how to advocate future Deaf youth to
join sports and Deaflympics?
Our youth is the key. USA does not focus enough on
our youth, we need more support. Young athletes have to find support
for themselves, and each generation asks for support, and people are
tired of that-- saying that athletes should work, earn money and pay
for themselves. But for youth? They are only 12 to 15 years
old, how are they supposed to work and earn enough?
Exactly how? Money… we do not get government support.
It is the same for hearing Olympics.
They do not get government money, but they get a lot of sponsorship.
If you win a medal, you just get applause. If other
countries win, they get money or even new
houses. We do not get anything, just recognition. That is all.
For our future Deaflympics, keep politics and sports separate.
We are all Deaf, and can be united!
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