It was a great experience especially being one of the young competitors; it really was a big challenge for me. It wasn't only that, but I also enjoyed meeting the athletes from other countries and so much more. The Deaflympics was even better than I originally imagined. - Shane Lehmann, a member of both medal winning Relay Teams 

The lifting and release of the hammer at the end of my 3 turns during my 6th and last throw of the Women's Hammer Throw competition was the most exciting moment during the Deaflympic Games for me.  The next most exciting thing was seeing it land beyond 45 meters and knowing it guaranteed a new World Record! 
Rome itself was a treat to look around in, I enjoyed seeing a lot of the old buildings still standing and ruins, the biggest one was the Roman Forum.  It was certainly entertaining following 2 "gladiators" (Willy and Thomas) into the Colloseo who missed their moment 2,000 years ago and watching them reminisce what they may have missed.- Heather Lightfoot, World Record holder and Gold Medalist in Hammer 

ROME!  That word alone sufficed for me to whip myself into tip-top shape for the 19th deaflympics.  Embedded in rich history, Rome offered me the opportunity to compete at an international level with other Deaf athletes throughout the world.  For that, I shall always be grateful.  Although my deteriorating knees cost me optimal performance, I do not regret being a proud member of the Deaf USA team!  Other than the thrill of personally competing, I also derived maximum thrill from watching my teammates do what they did best!  I want to take the time here to genuinely thank everyone responsible for making it possible for me to be once again involved in the international competition of the Deaflympics.  Thank you! - Willy Moers, 6 time Deaflympian and Gold Medalist in Hammer 

Athletes: 

I had a fabulous time there.  I was so happy to achieve my goals for the Hammer throw and Discus.  The Italians kinda made us wait, but we had a good time anyway. - Julia Dameron, Bronze Medalist in Hammer 

i enjoyed in Rome with lots of experience to meet many foreign people, learn their cultures and signs and compete against each other which is the most fun i had. - Niesha Washington, Sprinter 

It was a great opportunity to travel to Europe for my first time ever. It also gave me a chance to make new friends. However, the games could have been better. I thought the Italians were enjoying their food and wine too much that they ended up disorganizing the whole thing, including my event(pole vault) and many other sports. - Danielle Schwartzenberger, Bronze Medalist in Pole Vault 

 I had a great time in Rome, Italy. I am enjoying to meet a new friends. I am disappointed because I didn't got the medal in my events. Thanks! - Shakeem Glover, Sprinter 

The Deaflympic was really great! New experience for me.. I won the bronze medal in high jump.. It was a great feeling to stand and feel so honor by receiving the meda. I realized it wasn't so hard to communicate with deaf International athletes.. I am very disappointed in with Italy's system that didn't run right what we USA expected. - Lisa McBee, Bronze Medalist in High Jump 

It was such a great experience for me to compete against the international athletes.. Although, I didn't perform the way I had hoped for But, it will always be a lifelong memory. My goal is to go back and finish stronger.. - Franco Korpics, Javelin Thrower 

About the deaf olympic, I really enjoyed it and it was my second Deaflympic. I believe I was more prepared for this one than Denmark. I guess because I was younger then and now more mature. I’m looking forward for the next one. - PJ Deas, a member of both medal winning Relay Teams 

I had a good experience that I enjoyed the tour around Rome, Italy. In track and field, It was a challenege for me competing against other countries. In Deaflympic, it was all right. - Shelly Hamilton, Shot Putter 
  
This trip was amazing, in spite of things that happened; through good and bad times. I was very proud to take part in a such a heralded event. It was a honor to represent the American deaf community.  It was a privilege to compete with all the athletes.  In my heart, I believed that everyone was a winner no matter how they did.  I'm defintely coming back in 2005 and I better see everyone there! - Stuart Soboleski, a member of both medal winning Relay Teams 

It was a great pleasure to be part of the wonderful team and I appreciated the opportunity to compete with deaf athletes from all over the world. Visiting Rome was extraordinary, and learning about its history and culture as I toured around the city is an experience that I will never forget.  The hotel where we stayed and the food were great, and I was grateful for the services by those hard-working and good-mannered hotel staff.  About the only drawback of the whole trip is the transportation that was unreliable and this affected me mentally. - Elaine Coughlan, Long Distance Runner 

In my imagination, Rome is so beautiful place and people. When I arrived Rome and i was so shock, Couldn't believe they love waste of time and no combination with us like be prepared the plan for practice.. suck the schedule ~ But I do enjoy sneak around in the Rome's place,  I really hated noodle different of size but at Rome I did eat all! I was so surprised and came back USA and my mother used to separate food for me, but, I told her go ahead cook cuz I like eating them now! She said, U ? ? I smiled at her.. Rome has changed me. Most of my favorite is  , via costo 's place, different hall the shore !! - Nicole O'Bryan, Silver Medalist in Javelin 

I had a great experience while I was participating in the Deaflympics in Rome. 400 meter hurdle runner is very challenging for me to run in the game. I learned new experience with different deaf cultures. I placed fourth places. I know that I don't get any medals. But it doesn't make me disappointed. They ran very fast. They made me more motivated and challenged. I still am proud of myself. I really enjoyed to run and meeting new friends from other countries. I will continue to run for Deaflympics in Australia 2005. - Franklin Jones, 400M Hurdler. 

I had a great time socializing and working out with my teammates and coaches, though I was disappointed in my favorite event, discus. But other than that, meeting and participating against deaf people from all over the world were awesome and very competitive. - Honesty Powell, Discus Thrower 
 

Coaches: 

 I would like to say the experience was one of the most meaningful in my 20 years of coaching--my first of the Deaflympics!!  I found it very challenging (I felt like a deer in headlights at the first day of training camp), but learned so much about communicating and coaching deaf athletes, as well as  deaf culture.  I felt very proud to be representing the United States as a coach and look forward to taking more classes to further improve my signing.  I also have spoken to a couple of collegiate deaf athletes about competing in the next Olympic Trials!! Thanks again for "an experience to remember for a lifetime!!" -  Karen Boyle, Long and Triple Coach 

This was one of the most talented group of athletes I've ever worked with. I will always remember the friendships I made with these athletes. Rome had the most history of any city I've ever visited. I will never forget the Coliseum. The US Organizing Committee worked very hard to make this a great Deaflympics for the American team. - Don Boyer, PV , HJ and Hurdle Coach 
 
The Deaflympics was a unique and wonderful experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.  The time spent with the athletes during training camp and the competition, to prepare for accomplishing goals - and then to actually acheive or surpass those goals is the very reason why we all probably coach.  I loved it and I would like to do it again! - Sam Caldwell, Sprint Coach   (Note - Sam is now an active reserve for our country! “..and this is not by force but I am willing and ready to do my part” ) 

The Deaflympics was a great opportunity for me to be a distance running coach, instead of a distance runner (WGD 85 and 89).  Three most important things I learned from being a Deaflympics coach are :  Cooperation, Committment, and Creativity.  I do and always will treasure my coaching memories with these distance runners. - Karen Sanfacon, Long Distance Coach 

My experience at the 2001 Deaflympics was outstanding.  I loved training camp.  By the way I lost 10 pounds in camp, but I have started to put the weight back on.. I made many new friends and loved working with the athletes.  PJ Deas and Carlos were very good leaders in my eyes.  Sam Caldwell was great to work with. Although the Italians were extremely disorganized, there was still alot of positives that came out of Rome.  D'Mayne Hemphill 
seems more focused than ever.  Empire Sports Network of Western NY interviewed D'Mayne and I for over an hour. They did a special report on us.  We have given three 40 minute speeches on our experience and we have one more on Oct. 23 to one the Lion's Clubs. 
We have 57 Lion's Club in WNY.   Most athletes and coaches left Italy Aug 2nd. My wife flew over to Rome on Aug. 2nd and we had a fantastic tour of Italy, France and Holland.  We arrived home on Aug.18th. - Bill Steger, Special Assistant Coach (editor's note: the USA Team wishes to thank Bill for his patience and willingness to help with interpreting during meetings, training and whenever we needed one. Thank you, Coach Bill.)

On the whole the 2001 Deaflympics was an enriching experience with fond memories and many friendships. There were some frustation between the Rome Organizing Committee and several of the teams.

My experience working with decathlete and heptathletes was really moving. It kept me busy everyday from all the way through the training and the competition in Rome. It was a lot of work and huge responsibility but it was a wonderful experience.

An embarrasing moment for me happened upon arrival at the Olympia Stadio. One morning our decathlete forgot his identification card. Suddenly he left to go back to the hotel by taxi. I was very worried that he would miss his competition. He did however returned in time for his first event of the decathlon competition.

The track and field athlete's performances were great, even more than we expected for they were inspired. I enjoyed coaching the remarkable 2001 United States Track and Field team. Coach Nancy Benton