The 2013 Summer Deaflympics (Bulgarian: 2013 летни дефлимпийски игри), officially known as the 22nd Summer Deaflympics (Bulgarian: 22-ра лятна глуха олимпиада), was an international multi-sport event that took place in Sofia, Bulgaria from July 26 to August 4, 2013.[1] The marathon had been held before in Füssen, Germany on 21 July.[2] Sofia was hosting the biggest sports event for deaf athletes for a second time. In the past the Bulgarian capital hosted the 1993 Summer Deaflympics, thus becoming only the second city, together with Copenhagen, which has hosted two Summer Deaflympics.[3]
The 2013 games were scheduled for Athens, Greece, but the city decline the hosting rights citing no Organising Committee for the event and economic turmoil in the country.[4]
Sports
The sports offered at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics was held in 19 disciplines, including 14 individual sports and 5 team sports:[5]
Armeets Arena was announced as the venue of the 2013 Summer Deaflympics opening and closing ceremonies in February 2013.[6] It was also announced as venue of volleyball.