Here’s an account of how we won the bid to host the 2009 Summer Deaflympics:

Following its participation at the 2001 Summer Deaflympics in Rome, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf initiated its intention to bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009 based on the following grounds:

1. In consideration of its status in the international community, Taiwan, under the name of “Chinese Taipei” failed to obtain the hosting right for any major event, such as the Universiade, Asian Games, or East Asian Games. Although our effort at bidding to host major events is well noted and admirable, failure to win any of those bids also impacted the morale of the Taiwanese people. Under such circumstances, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf has strong desire to bid for the right to host the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009, with a view to revitalize the morale and confidence of the people of Taiwan.
2. Since the 2001 Summer Deaflympics in Rome was not as impressive as expected and Chinese Taipei Deaf Sport Association had hosted a very successful Deaf Asia-Pacific Games in 2000 that impressed the Executive Members and Members of Asia-Pacific, many members encouraged Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf to bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009.
3. All key members and staff of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf had strong desire to show to the world that we are capable of hosting a major event. By hosting the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009, we can achieve that goal, while also creating a new image for the deaf, and encouraging the general public to respect and accept the deaf.

To this extent, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf then decided to bid for the hosting right.

According to ICSD Constitution and Summer Deaflympics Regulations, any member wishing to host the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009 must submit a bidding application, with endorsement letters from its national sport authority (i.e. National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports), National Olympic Committee (i.e. Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee), and the host city government (i.e. Taipei City Government).

One month after submission of its application, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf learned that Athens, Greece is also bidding for the hosting right. The members and staff of the Association felt considerable pressure, because Athens is the host city of the 2004 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Although Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf may not be able to compete with Athens in terms of world media and venues, the Association decided to do its best to bid for the hosting right by not only producing a variety of publicity materials and souvenirs, but also inviting ICSD President Mr. John Lovett to come to Taipei to visit all venues and facilities.

President John Lovett arrived in Taipei on November 24, 2002. During Mr. Lovett’s one-week stay in Taipei, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf gave him multimedia presentations, and visited all recommended venues under guidance of staff of Taipei City Stadium Administration. Mr. Lovett applauded the well-organized programme and hospitality arranged all by deaf people. In addition, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf also made arrangement for President John Lovett to meet with President Chen Shui-bian, Mr. Cheng-Hsien Yu, the then Minister of Interior, Mr. Tieh-Hsiung Wu, the then Vice Minister of Education, Mr. Der-Fu Lin, the then Chairman of National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Executive Yuan, and Mr. Hsiu-Hsiung Pai, Deputy Mayor of Taipei City. Dr. Thomas Ta-Chou Huang, President of Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, also hosted a dinner party in honor of Mr. John Lovett. The full support and commitment of all Taiwanese senior figures in the bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics impressed Mr. Lovett very much.

Before his departure, Mr. John Lovett encouraged Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf by expressing his wish to have the Association do its utmost to bid for the Games. This would later on prove to be immensely helpful to the Association in its bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009.

The entire staff of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf later committed themselves to preparing for the 38^th ICSD Congress in Sundsvall, Sweden. Promotional materials, including state-of-the-art briefing brochure, multimedia presentations, souvenirs, posters and so forth were prepared. The delegation had booked a booth for promotion, and also reserved hotel room for hosting the promotional party. All ICSD officials and delegates of all member countries were invited, with expectation to heighten the enthusiasm of all participants.

The Chinese Taipei Delegation of 13 members was composed of 6 from Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, 5 from Taipei City Government and 2 from Taipei Mission in Sweden. The National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports had funded the Delegation, using the budget appropriated in 2003 to Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, which also raised funds from other parties to compensate for the rest of the budget.

The Chinese Taipei Delegation arrived in Sundsvall, Sweden with more than 500 kgs of promotional materials and souvenirs. Upon their arrival, the Delegation started promoting and visiting all other members; a promotional booth was set up, featuring Taiwanese culture at the ICSD Congress venue, which successfully attracted all participants.

On the night of February 26, the delegation from Athens, Greece held their presentation with two Chinese Taipei delegates among the invited. The Athens presentation ended with a Greek dinner and beverages that put the Chinese Taipei delegation under considerable pressure; however, Chinese Taipei insisted on competing with Athens until the last minute.

On February 27, first day of the Congress, President Chih-Ho Chen and Secretary General Yu-Ping Chao, along with delegates of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, stayed in the venue all day long and urged for people to vote for Taipei, while other delegates stayed along the booth and shared hospitality with all guests. Jing-Lien Tang, one of the delegates, painted on fans at the site, and distributed them to the guests visiting the booth. In the evening, it was presentation time for the Chinese Taipei Delegation. Mr. Chih-Ho Chen, leader of Chinese Taipei Delegation, Ms.Chi Cheng, Honorary President of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, Mr. Hsiu-Hsiung Pai, Deputy Mayor of Taipei City, and Honorable Ambassador Ching-Yuan Tseng of Taipei Mission in Sweden each delivered speeches. Chaired by Secretary General Yu-Ping Chao, the multimedia presentation that followed proved to be very successful, and impressed the ICSD officials and all its members. Following the presentation, the Chinese Taipei Delegation hosted all participants with a dinner, and offered them souvenir packs, which included promotional brochure, tourist information, illustrated brochure on Taiwan sign language, mascot, Polo shirt, pin etc. that proved to be favorites among the participants.

The day of February 28 was the day for final decision. Everyone felt nervous. Nevertheless, the website of the Congress released encouraging media coverage of the 4 interviews with delegates from 4 countries who strongly supported the Chinese Taipei Delegation. Before voting, the Athens Delegation and the Chinese Taipei Delegation (chaired by Secretary General Chao) each gave 20 minutes of final presentation. The vote-casting started when all members stopped asking questions. With 84 effective votes, Chinese Taipei Delegation won 52 votes, while Athens received 32. All our efforts over the last year finally paid off.

Everyone in the Delegation played his/her role well, optimizing the efforts for the bid, and should be considered the main reason for winning the bid. Such powerful teamwork will play an important role again in the organization of the 21st Summer Deaflympics in 2009.