Rukhledev is one of the most illustrious and unique personalities in the deaf world history.  In his youth, Rukhledev was a world class athlete: as a high-profiled member of the Soviet Union delegation, he won six gold medals at the World Summer Games of the Deaf in 1969, 1973 and 1977 in Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling; he was the European and Soviet Union champion among the hearing people in judo and sambo. In 2001, the ICSD International Selections Commission named Rukhledev as one of the world's top ten greatest deaf athletes of the century.

Moscow, Russia, 27 May 2009 - Valery Rukhledev, a deaf sports hero and long time and prominent sports executive in Russia and Europe, has declared his intention to run for the highest office of the President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (an acronym "ICSD" in English).  The elections are scheduled to be held during the coming 42nd ICSD Congress on 4 September 2009, in Taipei, Taiwan.

What outstanding people think of V.N. Rukhledev?

These pictures showing V.Rukhledev's growth

First, exactly 85 years ago today, that is, on August 10th of 1924, the first International Games for the Deaf (now known as the Deaflympics) were inaugurated in Paris, France.

Valery Rukhledev, a candidate for the position of the ICSD President at the coming 42nd ICSD Congress in Taipei, Taiwan, has received an official support letter from Vitaly Mutko, the Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation.

About 30 years I supervise over Deaf Sport of Russia and for many years from 1987 till 2008 I had been an Executive Committee Member of the European Deaf Sport Organization. Within these years I had the opportunity to collect experiences in the organisation of sports events and sports workshops. I am convinced that I am qualified for assuming the responsibility as the ICSD President.
I would like to introduce my priorities and conception