World Games for the Deaf: Thursday 5 January 1989

No need for a whistle or gun

How do you blow the whistle on a deaf player or kick off an event with a starting gun?

In most cases during the World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch, the starting equipment to be used is far more sophisticated.

A traffic light-type system, which has been devised by a Christchurch man, Mr Ted Gilliver, has been set up at Queen Elizabeth II Park.

The lights are beside the track at ground level. The light side by side with a flasher closest to the track.

Green indicates “on your marks”, the amber is for “set” and the flash starts the race. If a false start is recorded the red light will be a marshal.

Backing up the red light will be a marshal with a red flag.

Mr Gilliver, a starter for the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, got the traffic light idea after watching a television advertisement involving Daley Thompson.

Lights in each lane also start the swimming events.

In matches where the referee relies on a whistle, international hand signals take over.

Not all players will see the signals, but other players put up their hands in the universal sign to stop.

Close watch for drugs

A watchful eye is being kept during the Deaf Olympics for “gender benders”.

Female competitors have to produce gender verification certificates while the same doping tests and procedures used at the Seoul Olympic Games will be in operation here.

Urine samples from competitors will be flown to Calgary, Canada, to be tested.

If a test is negative the result will be known in Christchurch in about three days. However, if it is positive it will have to be retested and this could take up to three weeks.

It would cost between $250 and $300 for each test, the director of medical services, Dr Richard Edmond, said.

Dr Edmond was part of the New Zealand medical team in Seoul.

Place-getters and random competitors will be tested for four general categories — anabolic steroids, narcotics, diuretics and beta-blockers.

A large group of doctors, St John Ambulance officers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and masseurs will be attending the Games.

Be quick for souvenirs…

Souvenir hunters at the World Games for the Deaf should be kept happy.

Manderville Marketing has made up tumblers, caps, banners, New Zealand flag badges, Games badges, teaspoons, key rings, metal plaques and cloth badges.

Also on sale will be T-shirts and chocolate in the past year about 500 bumper stickers advertising the Games have been stuck around the city.

Prices will range between $1 and $30 but those who are keen should be in quick because supplies have been limited at the venue.

The various souvenirs will be available from Canterbury University, Lincoln College, and information centres at the venues.

Pictured: New Zealand team member Kerry Titcombe in her special games tracksuit. With her is Mr John Pearson, chief executive of the team sponsors, National Provident.

Pictured: One of the designers of the souvenirs, Mr John Milne of Manderville Marketing, with examples of what will be on sale.