The Opening Ceremony of the 15th World Games for the Deaf in California, 10-20 July 1985. The Games were hosted by the American Association of the Deaf. 29 nations attended with a total of 994 athletes. It was due to economic reasons, not political, that several Eastern Bloc countries including Russia withdrew at the last minute from the 15th World Games for the Deaf.
The flagbearer for New Zealand was John Ooteman, with Susie Ovens carrying the kiwi mascot. The Gallaudet Dance Company put on a performance. Footage shows a fly by with a sign saying ‘WELCOME WORLD GAMES FOR THE DEAF’.
New Zealand finished the World Games for the Deaf in California with a gold in cycling (John Ooteman) and a gold (Janet Watt, Carolyn Hamlin) and silver in badminton doubles (Pam Croskery, Penny Went) – their best result ever.
