World Deaf Youth Games 2024 – Jessica Cunningham selected (4th Jan)

International Selection for Jessica Cunningham

Congratulations to Jessica Cunningham on her selection to compete at the inaugural World Deaf Youth Games to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 15th to 20th January. Next year, the Deaflympics (the Deaf Olympics) will be in Tokyo and these World Youth Games will provide excellent experience for those athletes targeting Tokyo. Jessica’s selection comes on the back of all the hard work she has put in at training over the past number of years and it is a great honour for Jessica, her family and for Mullingar Harriers. Everyone at the Club wishes Jessica the very best of luck in Brazil.

A question some might have is why are the Deaflympics not in the Paralympics? The answer is that if deaf athletes were to compete in the Paralympic Games, then numerous sign language interpreters would be required to bridge the communication barrier, otherwise the deaf athletes would be completely separated from all other athletes, losing the very purpose of the Games which is to bring athletes together.