Logo

The logo, designed in 2003 by Deaflympian and graphic artist Ralph Fernandez, is a powerful and uplifting symbol of the international deaf sports community. It embodies key elements such as sign language, deaf identity, international cultures, unity, and the enduring continuity of the Deaflympic movement.

At the heart of the design are four handshapes—representing "OK," "good," and "great"—overlapping within a circular formation. These handshapes form the original sign for "Deaflympics," which, when combined, also symbolise the sign for "united." This reflects the spirit of global unity and cooperation among deaf athletes, transcending borders and uniting people through the shared language of sport.

The central circle of the logo represents the iris of the eye, highlighting the importance of vision in the lives of deaf individuals. It serves as a reminder that deaf people rely on their eyes as a primary mode of communication, emphasising the visual nature of deaf culture.

The four colors—red, blue, yellow, and green—found in the logo represent the national flags of countries around the world, signifying the global reach of the Deaflympic Games. Furthermore, the number of colors also symbolises the four letters in the acronym "ICSD" for the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, and "CISS" in French, representing the Comité International des Sports Silencieux.

Moreover, these four colors represent the four regional confederations that make up the ICSD: the Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation, the European Deaf Sports Organisation, the Pan American Deaf Sports Organisation, and the Confederation of African Deaf Sports. The concept of "four" is central to the logo's meaning, reinforcing why the design so effectively represents the unity and structure of the ICSD and Deaflympics communities. Everything comes in fours, making the logo truly reflective of the organisation's core values and identity.

Related: Identity Guidelines