ICSD Athlete Nationality Policy

1. Introduction

Any athlete in the Deaflympics or other ICSD-sanctioned competitions must be a national of the country/territory of the National Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF) entering him / her and in compliance with the provisions of the ICSD Athlete Nationality Policy.

The ICSD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shall resolve all disputes relating to the determination of the country/territory that a competitor may represent in the Deaflympics or other competitions sanctioned by the ICSD.

1.1.  Athletes competing for the first time

An athlete who competes for the first time, thus representing his or her country in the Deaflympics, in World Deaf Championships, Regional Deaf Championships, Regional Deaf Games or other competition sanctioned by the ICSD, may not represent another country/territory unless he/she meets the conditions set forth in provisions that apply to athletes changing their nationality.

1.2.  Athletes with two or more nationalities


An athlete who is a national of two (2) or more countries/territories at the same time may represent either one of them as he or she may elect, and is subject to the provisions that apply to athletes competing for the first time.

1.3. Athletes changing or acquiring a new nationality

1.3.1. Deaflympics

An athlete who has represented one country/territory in the Deaflympics, in World Deaf Championships, Regional Deaf Championships, Regional Deaf Games or other competition sanctioned by the ICSD, and who has changed his/her nationality or acquired a new nationality, shall not participate in the Deaflympics to represent his/her new country/territory until two (2) years after such change or acquisition has been made.

1.3.2. Other ICSD Competitions

An athlete who has represented one country/territory in a competition sanctioned by the ICSD, and who has changed his/her nationality or acquired a new nationality shall not participate in World Deaf Championships, Regional Deaf Championships, Regional Deaf Games or other competition sanctioned by the ICSD (excluding the Deaflympics) to represent his/her new country/territory until one year after such change or acquisition has been made.

1.3.3. Reduction or Cancellation of Minimum Waiting Period


The minimum waiting period required for athletes who change nationality or acquire a new nationality may be reduced or even cancelled provided that the concerned NDFSs agree, and subject to confirmation by the ICSD CEO.

1.4. Extraordinary circumstances

In all cases not expressly addressed in the ICSD Athlete Nationality Policy, in particular in those cases in which an athlete would be in a position to represent a country other than that of which he or she is a national or to have a choice as to the country which he/she intends to represent, the ICSD Executive Board and/or ICSD Legal Committee may issue specific requirements relating to nationality, citizenship, domicile or residence of the athlete, as well as the duration of any waiting period.

1.5. Clarification of jurisdiction

Whereas the ICSD Athlete Nationality Policy applies for all entries to the ICSD Deaflympics, the respective IF rules apply for qualifying competitions of sports governed by an IF. Subsequently, in the event the IF"s eligibility rules are more stringent than ICSD rules, the more stringent rules shall automatically come into effect for participation in the Deaflympics through the qualifying process.

Athlete Nationality Policy Form

Approved by ICSD Executive Board on 07 March 2016