A group of 14 Chinese athletes departed Beijing for Salt Lake City on Tuesday to take part in the 16th Winter Deaflympics.

It is the first time that China has fielded athletes to such games. The Chinese will compete in cross country skiing and curling events.

Approved by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf and held once in four years, the Winter Deaflympics is a comprehensive sport event for the deaf, equivalent to the Summer Deaflympics in terms of rank.

The current Winter Deaflympics scheduled for February 1-10, 2007 is the highest level of sports meet for the deaf before the 21st Summer Deaflympics to be held in Chinese Taipei in 2009.

A total of over 300 athletes from 28 countries and regions will compete in Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, ice hockey and snowboarding. Free-style snowboarding will be featured as a performance event.