2019 Winter Deaflympics: Locations of competitions; anti-doping and audiogram testings
ALEX ABENCHUCHAN:
Hello from Chiavenna, Italy! Time is nearing to the Opening Ceremony tomorrow for the 2019 Winter Deaflympics.
There are six sports that will be contested in 35 different events. The competitions will happen in four different areas.
The hockey and chess competitions will take place in Chiavenna.
The curling competitions will take place in Madesimo.
The alpine skiing, cross country skiing, and border cross (four-way snowboarding racing) competitions will happen in Santa Caterina.
The other snowboarding events of big air and slopestyle were originally planned to happen in Santa Caterina, but it was moved to Chiesa In Valmalenco due to insufficient snow. There’s more snow over there.
Now, Callie will explain about two very important sporting-related tests.
CALLIE FRYE:
Today I had the opportunity to interview two different officials for anti-doping and audiograms.
ARTEMIY:
Hello! My name is Artemiy and I am the doping control person for the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. I was appointed for this position three years ago. That’s where I started. See this? I’m under the World Anti-Doping Agency. I also deal with European and regional championships.
FRYE:
I asked him how the anti-doping process works. He said he works with national anti-doping associations and they take care of the testing on their athletes. He gets involved with international sporting events. He will decide the amount of random testing by athletes by looking at the total amount of athletes and choosing a specific number.
TIFFANY WILLIAMS:
There is an extensive list of banned substances. For example, people think doping means drugs. But it could be from your regular medication that you have to take for your health. It could be ADHD medicine, asthma inhaler, sleeping medication, or from supplements. There is a wide variety of possibilities. So it is important to talk with your sports team doctor and your family doctor to find out and be mindful of what you take.
FRYE:
The testing is done by urine samples. The athletes aren’t called alone, as they can have a representative from their team accompany them to the anti-doping area where there is medical staff that can do the testing.
WILLIAMS:
Yes, in the past, we’ve had some Deaflympian athletes who failed anti-doping tests. What happens to them? They can be suspended. For how long depends on the situation. It could be two years, four years, or sometimes a lifetime ban. Who makes the decision? The anti-doping commission, the Board, and they will communicate with the WADA who will make the final decision.
FRYE:
The athletes can be called to take a test anytime from the opening to closing ceremonies.
The audiogram tests will follow ICSD’s criteria, which is to have a dB level of 55 or above, which is either deaf or hard of hearing. Below that means you’re hearing.
KALANI COX:
I’m Kalani Cox. I’m the head audiologist for the Deaflympics. I’ve worked for the ICSD since 2010. It’s my fourth games.
ZOE WILLIAMS:
My name is Zoe from Australia. I’m a deaf audiologist. It’s my second Deaflympics. The first one was in Samsun, Turkey.
COX:
To qualify, the criteria requires 55 dB in your better ear.
FRYE:
All athletes must submit their audiograms either before or when they arrive for the Deaflympics, then they can compete.
If they are disqualified, they have two options. They can go back home, or stay and support their team.
WILLIAMS:
It’s not easy to disqualify an athlete. It breaks my heart. But it’s the rules. We have to make the games good, fair, and equal.
FRYE:
There were instances of people being disqualified because they were just under the threshold — but they are not qualified to compete, or some might have normal hearing levels, or some are CODAs but try to slip in.
Participants and athletes can, at any time, can report to the audiogram office to say they suspect an athlete, and that athlete will be tested.
If an athlete is disqualified, they have a right to protest.
USADSF said they have a good system of cooperating with audiogram tests. They have their national sports organizations and if their deaf athletes want to play on the international level, they will collect their audiogram results about four months in advance of the events.
Is Alex from Daily Moth qualified for the Deaflympics?
ALEX:
Let’s test.
Every time I hear something, I must raise my hand.
Am I deaf or hearing?
COX: You’re completely deaf.
ALEX:
I am deaf.
I passed the hearing test and now I can ski!
—
Tomorrow is the Opening Ceremony. But there were already competition today with curling. Team USA played today and lost to Switzerland 8-5. The U.S. will play Ukraine tomorrow.
I’ve learned some new Italian Sign Language. I will teach you.
How are you? (shows sign).
If you want to say “I’m fine,” (shows sign).
That’s all for today. See you tomorrow!