The Deaflympics, first known as the International Silent Games, were founded in 1924 in Paris, France, by Eugène Rubens-Alcais, a pioneering French deaf sports leader. These Games were the first international multi-sport event created specifically for deaf athletes, long before the Paralympics existed. The early editions focused primarily on athletics, cycling, swimming, and tennis—sports that were easier to organize at the time. Although basketball was already popular in some countries, it had not yet become widespread within the deaf sporting community, particularly in Europe where the Games first developed.
 

During the following decades, the Deaflympics steadily expanded to include more countries and sports as deaf athletic organizations formed across Europe and beyond. After World War II, interest in team sports such as basketball grew rapidly, especially among younger athletes. The sport’s fast pace and strong reliance on visual communication made it a natural fit for deaf competitors.
 

By the time of the 1949 Summer Deaflympics in Copenhagen, Denmark, basketball was officially added to the program for the first time. That edition marked a turning point, introducing a sport that would become one of the most beloved and competitive events in Deaflympic history. Since then, basketball has been featured at every Summer Deaflympics, evolving from a small European-based tournament into a global showcase of deaf athletic excellence.
 

Women’s basketball was introduced in 1981, marking a historic moment for female athletes in the deaf community. This inclusion provided women with opportunities to compete internationally and helped promote equality and recognition in deaf sports. Over the years, the women’s tournament has grown in strength and participation, with nations such as the United States, Ukraine, and Lithuania emerging as consistent contenders for medals.
 

As the years have passed, basketball has become one of the defining symbols of the Deaflympics. The sport unites athletes from around the world, transcending language barriers through sign language and a shared passion for the game. Today, basketball remains a cornerstone of the Deaflympic program—a lasting testament to the unity, skill, and spirit of deaf athletes who continue to inspire new generations on and off the court.

For more information about the Deaflympics and its basketball history, please visit Deaflympics website.