Australia's leading deaf athletes are no longer bound for Hong Kong, after ongoing protests across the region forced the cancellation of next month's Asia Pacific Deaf Games.
Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) took to Facebook overnight to alert followers of the development, which followed concerns over "increased safety risk levels."
"This now has direct implications to the safety of all athletes, officials and supporters attending the 9th Asia Pacific Deaf Games," a post read.
"The Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation (APDSC) and Hong Kong Games Organising Committee (HKGOC) both regretfully agreed to inform that the 9th Asia Pacific Deaf Games is now CANCELLED due to HKGOC not having the ability to guarantee the safety and well-being of all of our athletes, officials and supporters during the Games."
More than 70 deaf Australian athletes were due to compete in sports including football, basketball, tennis, athletics and swimming from 1-11 November.
Deaf Football Australia technical assistant Pete Nowakowski said the team had been building toward the Games for a year.
"This has been a 12 month project we've been working towards. Every training camp has been focussed on the target of playing at this tournament and looking to qualify for the 2020 Deaf Football World Cup in Korea," he said.
"Twenty-two players and six technical staff were set to travel with the (football) team. Everyone had already booked in long service leave to take time off work.
"Having not competed at the last tournament, this was our chance to have a redemption and come back in a big way."
Hong Kong has been rocked by months of clashes between pro-democracy activists and police.
Deaf Football Australia Technical Assistant Pete Nowakowski says news of the Deaf Games cancellation left many players disappointed. Source: Twitter/petenowakowski
In June, a proposal to allow extradition to mainland China attracted the ire of thousands, prompting fears the bill could undermine the city's judicial independence and endanger dissidents.
The idea was eventually withdrawn - but violent and bloody clashes continue.
It is unclear whether a replacement Games will be held, DSA general manager Phil Harper said.
"The Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation will advise us, but it is likely to take some time," he said.
James Lambert, head coach of the men's deaf national football team, said his players are dissapointed.
"The excitement to travel and compete after missing out for four years was intrinsically driving the players. They really wanted to compete for Australia, represent the deaf community and be role models," he said.
"This won’t change - but the key now is finding out about the alternative tournament so the players can refocus."
The Games' cancellation also represents a financial cost for those involved.
"We had bought new playing jerseys and new off-field apparel for the players to wear for the competition," Mr Nowakowski said.
"We had new sponsors coming on board for the competition including one focused on live-streaming the games. Another sponsor helped us get new jerseys for the players that they would keep after the tournament was done."
DSA also expects to be out of pocket, Mr Harper said.
"Costs include airfare, accommodation, uniforms, equipment, team management. We are now discussing with our insurance broker what we can get back," he said.
"Hopefully the impact will be minimal, but our organisation is likely to suffer a loss.
"(The) next major multi-sport event is the Deaflympics in 2021, so it will be interesting to see how they plan this given (the) athletes will not want to have to fundraise for two major deaf sport events close together."
