18th World Games for the Deaf

The Games were hosted by the Danish Deaf Sports Association (DDI), founded in 1922. It was fitting because the DDI also had 75th anniversary celebration of its existence.

The DDI included two new sports competitions as part of the Summer World Games: Bowling and Orienteering.

Sonja Venhauer of Austria received a Fair Play Award from Widex.

Location: Copenhagen Denmark (DEN)
Opening Date: 13 Jul 1997
Closing Date: 26 Jul 1997
Nations: 65
Athletes: 2027
     Men: 1495
     Women: 532
Logo designer: Susanne Bum Olesen