1949 Winter Deaflympics

The 1949 Winter Deaflympics (Winter-Deaflympics 1949) officially known as the I International Winter Games for the Deaf (I Internationale Winterspiele für Gehörlose) is an international multi-sport event that was held from 26 January 1949 to 30 January 1949. This event was hosted by Austria.

History
This event was introduced as a result of the success of the Summer Deaflympics which was introduced in 1924.

The event held just after the end of World War II and the Games held coinciding the 1949 Summer Deaflympics.

Only 5 Nations participated at the inaugural Winter Deaflympics including the host nation Austria. The other nations were Finland, Czechoslovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. Alpine skiing and Cross-country skiing were the only sports being introduced at the competition.

Women were not allowed to participate at the inaugural Winter Deaflympics.