2019 Winter Deaflympics
winter deaflympics italian olimpiadi invernali per non udenti officially known th winter deaflympics xix winter deaflympics italian ° olimpiadi invernali per sordi th edition winter deaflympics took place – december sondrio province northern italy opening ceremony held sondrio december curling competition began day prior start winter deaflympics sporting event apart curling commenced december event took place sport alpine skiing chess crosscountry skiing curling ice hockey snowboarding initially sporting event slated held three event added competition organiser due inclusion chess surprise move chess made debut winter deaflympics th deaflympics second time italy hosted event previously hosting game madonna di campiglio deaflympics organised federazione sport sordi italia national deaf sport federation italy affiliated international committee sport deaf hosting event raised concern may following house arrest former icsd president valery rukhledev may regarding embezzlement allrussian society deaf serving post society well post icsd president valery rukhledev later stepped position july later replaced australian rebecca adam icsd presidential position august causing controversy top deaf sport movement criticised appointment rebecca adam without proper consent approval september press release newly appointed icsd president rebecca adam confirmed winter deaflympic event would take place planned scheduled december revealed around former icsd president valery rukhledev encouraged requested application almaty kazakhstan successful winter universiade held city however almaty submitted application host winter deaflympics instead italy chosen host country ousting valery rukhledev june icsd fssi meeting unanimously agreed support stage winter deaflympics italy despite crisis administration icsd started may opening ceremony held december event officially opened sondrio province mayor marco scaramellini italian singer silvia mezzanotte sung national anthem host country italy former three time alpine skiing olympic gold medalist deborah compagnoni invited special guest opening ceremony three venue selected host sporting event santa caterina di valfurva host three sporting discipline alpine skiing snowboarding crosscountry skiing madesimo host curling competition chiavenna chosen host ice hockey chess event winter deaflympics featured event sport chess new event sporting event part edition retained original idea womens ice hockey tournament international committee sport deaf cancelled event due low number country registered host nation italy official website