Abbreviation DGS President Winfried Wiencek | Formation 1910 (1910) Location Germany Website dg-sv.de | |
Deutscher Gehörlosen Sportverband (DGS) is the German umbrella organization for sport of deaf and people with hearing impairments. The DGS is a registered organization seated in Essen.
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History
In the mid-19th century, a group of gymnasts, bowlers and chess players met to form teams. With the establishment of the "Taubstummen Turnvereinigung Berlin" (Berlin Deaf Gymnastics Association) on 18 October 1888, the foundation was laid for the organization of deaf athletes. The group added women's and children's divisions in 1896.
A key figure in the development of the Taubstummen Turnvereinigung was Albert Gutzmann, the first director of a school for the deaf-mute in Germany.
Other teams followed the lead of the Taubstummen, and established associations throughout Germany.
Throughout the early 20th century (interrupted only by the outbreak of World War I which brought much of Germany's amateur athletic pursuits to a standstill), the various deaf athletic associations grew and merged, resulting in the culmination: the formation of the DGS in Hanover in 1946.