Support Schedule of the Sign Language Cheer Squad for Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics

The anticipation for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics is building as the event's opening day approaches in just 10 days, kicking off on November 15. In a remarkable initiative to enhance the atmosphere, the 'Sign Language Cheer Squad' will take center stage at various competitions throughout the games, leading a new style of cheering that can be visually experienced.

The 'Sign Language' method is designed to provide an inclusive cheering experience, allowing everyone—whether they can hear or not—to express their support for deaf athletes. Traditionally, most sports cheering relies heavily on auditory engagement, but within the realm of Deaf sports, there have been limited ways for audiences to connect with athletes. The inspired concept of 'Sign Language' ensures that all spectators can engage with and cheer for the athletes using their visual sense, drawing from the body language and Japanese sign language.

Members of the cheer squad, primarily composed of individuals with hearing impairments, have collaborated with Deaf athletes to develop this innovative cheering style. In celebrating the centenary of the Deaflympics, the initiative aims to take this unique method of support from Tokyo to the world.

Cheer Schedule

The Sign Language Cheer Squad will be present in competition venues according to the following schedule: All attendees at the events are invited to join in this unique cheering experience, no prior registration is required.

Please note: The schedule is subject to change without notice, so please check the special website TOKYO FORWARD 2025 for the latest updates.

Moreover, attending the events at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics is free, and no advance registration is necessary. Please note that while shooting will occur, on-site viewing is not permitted.

For details about the competition schedule and venue access, please visit the official event website: Deaflympics 2025.

Event Dates and Venues

Date	Time	Event	Venue
----	----	-------	----------
November 16	10:00 - 11:30	Volleyball Men's Qualifier	Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium
November 18	10:10 - 15:53	Athletics: Men's High Jump Finals & 100m Finals	Komazawa Olympic Park Athletic Stadium
November 20	10:00 - 11:30	Athletics Men's Hammer Throw Finals	Oi Central Seaside Park Athletic Stadium
	17:00 - 19:20	Swimming: Men’s and Women's 4x100m Relay Finals	Tokyo Aquatics Centre
November 21	14:10 - 17:30	Badminton Men's and Women's Singles & Doubles Finals	Keio Arena TOKYO
November 22	10:00 - 12:30	Volleyball Quarterfinals	Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium
	10:00 - 15:00	Taekwondo: Poomsae Qualifying & Finals	Nakano City General Gymnasium
November 23	12:15 - 14:28	Athletics: Men's and Women's 200m Finals & 800m Finals	Komazawa Olympic Park Athletic Stadium
	17:00 - 19:20	Swimming: Men’s and Women’s 400m Individual Medley Finals	Tokyo Aquatics Centre
November 24	09:20 - 16:28	Athletics: Men's Discus Throw Finals & 4x100m Relay Finals	Komazawa Olympic Park Athletic Stadium
	17:30 - 19:20	Table Tennis Team Finals	Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
November 25	10:00 - 14:00	Athletics: Men’s Marathon	Sections of Tokyo Expressway and Shuto Expressway

	15:00 - 19:00	Volleyball Finals	Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium
	17:00 - 19:20	Swimming: Men’s & Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Finals	Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Featured Guests

The cheering experience will be enhanced with special appearances:

- Tomisakai Drum (Actor) - November 16 at the Men’s Volleyball Qualifier
- Sakura Inoue (Talent) - November 25 during various Swimming Finals
- Nobuhiro Asahara (Former Japan representative in sprinting) - November 22 at the Volleyball Quarterfinals

For more information, please contact the Tokyo Sports Promotion Headquarters, International Sports Division at 03-5320-7817.

Make sure to participate in this incredible journey that brings people together through innovative support. Your engagement is vital in making this event a memorable showcase of talent and spirit!