Orienteering

Photograph of a orienteering athlete.

Competition Introduction

A sport competing for speed to reach the goal after passing through controls* set in mountains and fields in order using map and compass. Total ability is required: decision-making and judgment to choose routes by reading maps of mountain fields with no paths, and physical ability to run through wilderness and wetlands.
*Checkpoints

Basic Rules

Competition follows the same international rules as for hearing people.

Unique Aspects of Deaf Sports

The difference lies in communicating starts to athletes. Since this cannot be done by sound, visual methods such as electronic display boards are needed when turns come.
Additionally, when a thletes pass through controls, confirmation sounds is played to notify that they have passed through, but deaf people need light-emitting systems in addition to sound for confirmation.

Photograph of a SI station, punching system installed at the control, glowing.
Photograph of an athlete checking his watch and a staff checking a watch to wave the flag at the start of the competition.
Photograph of an electronic display to inform athletes of their times.

Event

25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025

  • Super Sprint Relay (Mixed)
  • Sprint Distance (Men/Women)
  • Sprint Relay (Mixed)
  • Middle Distance (Men/Women)
  • Long Distance (Men/Women)
  • Relay (Men)

Venue

【To everyone who intended to enter the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS Orienteering Competition including competitors, team officials, and other persons who, thought knowledge of the terrain, may influence the competition’s results】

Advance entry into the venue is restricted.
For more details, please refer to Japan Orienteering Association’s “Maps of Embargoed Areas for the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS Orienteering Competition”.

Deaf sport federation website

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