Source: The Other Olympics
You can always tell when the Dutch national team are nearby.
If the appearance of large groups of people wearing bright orange wasn’t enough to go on, the people of Goteborg must be aware by now that the World Transplant Games is in town.
This morning I traveled with the northern half of the British team from Manchester to Gothenburg. On the plane was Ellie, a Gothenburg native relocated in Manchester. Ellie was suprised that although she reads a Swedish newspaper, she had no idea this event this event was happening till the team tracksuits arrived at check-in today.
Though the city has a half a million inhabitants, anyone walking in the centre today would have seen the Dutch shopping in the Nordstan mall, the Argentinians consulting their maps downtown or the Irish searching for some lunch.
I was with American competitor Randall, when a couple approached him and his wife to inquire about the games,”it’s a celebration of life she enthused.”
Indeed the other athletes have told me the celebrations are just about to begin. Cyclist, transplantee and fellow tweeter Rich explained – “when you put 1800 people who have come that close to death in a room together, through in some Cinzano and beer – well, they make the most of it.”
Of course there is a poignant emotional side to these games branded as ‘The competition where everybody is a winner’. As Sarah; proud mother and kidney donor to young swimmer Ben admitted “there will be a fair bit of blubbering before the week is out”. “He is a different boy, since the operation, so out going and these gave him something to aim for whilst undergoing his treatment.”
It is that treatment and the necessity for donors that these games are designed to promote please find out more at the NHS Organ Donation Register, Transplant Sport UK or the World Transplant Games Federation
If the appearance of large groups of people wearing bright orange wasn’t enough to go on, the people of Goteborg must be aware by now that the World Transplant Games is in town.
This morning I traveled with the northern half of the British team from Manchester to Gothenburg. On the plane was Ellie, a Gothenburg native relocated in Manchester. Ellie was suprised that although she reads a Swedish newspaper, she had no idea this event this event was happening till the team tracksuits arrived at check-in today.
Though the city has a half a million inhabitants, anyone walking in the centre today would have seen the Dutch shopping in the Nordstan mall, the Argentinians consulting their maps downtown or the Irish searching for some lunch.
I was with American competitor Randall, when a couple approached him and his wife to inquire about the games,”it’s a celebration of life she enthused.”
Indeed the other athletes have told me the celebrations are just about to begin. Cyclist, transplantee and fellow tweeter Rich explained – “when you put 1800 people who have come that close to death in a room together, through in some Cinzano and beer – well, they make the most of it.”
Of course there is a poignant emotional side to these games branded as ‘The competition where everybody is a winner’. As Sarah; proud mother and kidney donor to young swimmer Ben admitted “there will be a fair bit of blubbering before the week is out”. “He is a different boy, since the operation, so out going and these gave him something to aim for whilst undergoing his treatment.”
It is that treatment and the necessity for donors that these games are designed to promote please find out more at the NHS Organ Donation Register, Transplant Sport UK or the World Transplant Games Federation
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