The first Deaflympics was held in Paris back in 1924, with nine countries including Great Britain taking part.

It takes place every four years, with the 51st games to be held in Tokyo next year.

UK Deaf Sport is hoping to send a team of 115 people in sports such as athletics, swimming, and football.

Deaf athletes do not have any exclusive categories at the Paralympics, which were first held in 1960.

In the UK, elite deaf athletes face a £4,000 self-funded barrier to compete next year, Mr Ratcliffe added.

He said they rely on sponsorship and stressed that the Deaflympics is an “elite-level competition”.

“That’s a big challenge,” he added. “Because not only are they in full-time education or holding down full-time jobs, they will be training significantly.”

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said Sport England was currently providing £1.27m in funding for UK Deaf Sport through to 2027.

However, the government does not directly fund athletes competing at the Deaflympics via UK Sport as their remit is Olympic and Paralympic athletes only.