World Deaf Games, Köln 1981

1981 •

New Zealand team goes to XIV World Games for the Deaf in Köln, Germany in 1981.

The New Zealand team goes to XIV World Games for the Deaf in Köln (Cologne), Germany in 1981. The team poses for photographs outside Auckland Deaf Society before leaving. They travel to Auckland Airport, and the team is lucky enough to be given a tour of the cockpit of their Air New Zealand plane before departing. Footage covers scenery of Cologne, as well as NZ athletes practicing before their events.

The opening ceremony includes the NZ team marching. Susie Ovens competes in the women’s 100m sprint, and Michael Rose competes in the athletics. Deaf New Zealanders watching from the stands cheering them on! Later features Robert Algie competing in the wrestling also, lots of New Zealanders cheering him on with NZ flag! Robert wins two silver medals and is filmed twice on the stands accepting each of his medals.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Oops, That Was Me! Susie’s Athletics Mix-Up at the 1981 Deaf Games

At just 15 years old, Susie competed in the 100m and 200m events at the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln, with Barbara Hazelwood from Palmerston North as her chaperone. Nervous before her first race, she climbed down through the stadium seats to reach the track, only to be stopped by an official who reminded her to use the proper tunnel like the other athletes. He let her through, but Susie was surprised (and a bit embarrassed!) to see the rest of her heat arrive in a formal line. She loved the deaf-friendly starting system, with ground lights that flashed when the gun fired. But in the 200m, things took a twist. Her team manager mistakenly told her she hadn’t qualified for the final. Later, while watching the race, she saw an empty lane… and her name on the scoreboard. She had qualified after all, but it was too late – a once-in-a-lifetime moment missed!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

A Silver to Remember: Shona’s Memories from the 1981 World Deaf Games

In 1981, Shona McGhie travelled to Köln, Germany, to attend the World Deaf Games as a supporter, joining Colleen Norris to cheer on the New Zealand athletes. While there, she witnessed the incredible performance of NZ wrestling representative Robert Algie. Though she can’t recall exactly which round, she remembers the electric atmosphere, the huge crowd, and the overwhelming support as Robert battled his way through to the finals. His effort paid off – he proudly earned a silver medal for New Zealand. Shona describes it as a unique and emotional moment.

Ann Bennett

Brian Harris

Danny (Daniel) Beech

Danny (Daniel) Beech

David Hendry

Gloria Fage

Gwen Rapley

John (Johannes) Ooteman

John (Johannes) Ooteman

John Chandler

John Lavell

John McRae

Kaz Witko

Margaret Coutts

Margaret Coutts

Michael Rose

Norman Norris

Peter Downie

Polly Fechney

Robert Algie

Royce Flynn

Sue Nicholson (Skinner)

Sue Nicholson (Skinner)

Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Relevant Links

Taonga source:

Manawatu Deaf Society

Produced by:

Joan Bailey

Original format:

7" 8mm

Sponsored by:

Sonia Pivac

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, MDS16-01-OTH81

Copyright status:

This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Note:

This item has been compressed and/or edited.

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