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Although many people will not have heard of the World Games for the Deaf, New Zealand's involvement with them spans 40 years. The first information about the games reached New Zealand in 1949 and the New Zealand Amateur Sports Association was formed.

An obituary on Margaret Coutts who was "the mother of deaf sports", an active leader and strong positive role-model to younger members of the Deaf community. She was the first female president of the Christchurch Deaf Club, and was awarded a NZ Commemoration Medal for her contributions in 1990.

The vice-chairman of the organising committee, Mrs Margaret Coutts, said yesterday "for two weeks there will be more deaf people on the street than hearing people. My heart is filled with gold because of the very big turn out – there are more athletes here than at the previous World Games in America (in 1985)."

New Zealand's first gold medal was won yesterday by a Fielding cyclist, John Ooteman. Aged 28, Ooteman won the 35km time trial event on the Old West Coast Road ahead of 23 other competitors with a time of 51 min 12.13s.

New Zealand finished the World Games for the deaf in California with a gold in cycling and a gold and silver in badminton – their best result ever.

An update from the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles, where Carolyn Hamlin and Janet Watt (New Zealand) beat Pam Croskery and Penelope Went (New Zealand) in badminton doubles.

Paparangi's Kaz Witko will be representing New Zealand at the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles later this year. At 36, Kaz is no stranger to playing sport for his country.

New Zealand was passed over in its bid to host the World Deaf Games in 1985 – but not because of any Springbok tour snub, prominent local sports administrator, Mr Alan Barrett, believes.

Penny Went collected a silver medal at the last World Games for the Deaf – now she is home and aiming for gold.