Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 135 No. 1 Fall 2013 | Page 18

Koss’ Dea ympics Experience
Last summer, Taylor and Kori Koss had an oncein-a-lifetime experience to go to the Dea ympics in
So a, Bulgaria. Dea ympics is a premier international competition for Deaf and hard of hearing athletes
representing their respective countries. The event is
held every four years in various countries all over the
world. The rst games were held in Paris in 1924 with
a small gathering of 148 athletes from nine European
nations. Today, the Dea ympics boasts 14,727 athletes from 102 countries. Athletes compete for medals
and for the right to represent their countries proudly
just like the Olympics and the Paralympics.

Taylor Koss
Dea ympics 2013
Track & Field
So a, Bulgaria

Kori Koss
Dea ympics 2013
Track & Field
So a, Bulgaria

Kori’s greatest inspira on for her compe on came
from knowing that seven of her aunts traveled all the
way to Bulgaria to support her and cheer her on!

WSD alumnus Taylor Koss (2011) was a star on the WSD track and eld team
for the years he was a student at WSD, especially in hurdles, placing sixth at
the state meet in 2012. His sister, Kori Koss, joined WSD in the fall of 2012
and proved to be a star like her brother. She also competed in the state track
and eld tournament for hurdles. Taylor and Kori Koss made the USA Deaf
Track and Field Team in the spring of 2013. They went to Austin, Texas to
train for the Dea ympics. Steven Fuerst, a WSD alumnus, former teacher and
coach, was one of their assistant coaches.
Taylor participated in 400-meter event but did not advance past semi- nals
despite achieving a better time than the winners from the rst heat. He was
able to nish fth place in the 400-meter hurdles event. Striking gold in the
4x400 meter relay event was an exhilarating experience! A bronze medal was
gleamed in the 4x100 meter relay event.
Kori went to So a to compete in three events. For the 400-meter hurdles, she
did not achieve a fast enough time to advance. However, Kori participated in
100-meter dash and achieved her personal best time. She also ran in the 4x400
meter relay event but missed a chance to medal by taking fth place.
Congratulations to Taylor and Kori for representing WSD and the USA Team!
We look forward to watching your achievements in the 2017 Dea ympics!
From the cultural and social
aspect of the Games, Kori
said, “It was tough to converse with Deaf people from
other countries, but I had an
opportunity to spend some
me with Deaf