There were over 20 sporting activities including athletics, swimming and cycling held over the 4 day event from the 4th-7th August at various venues across Belfast. Sunday saw all the athletes come together at the Track and Field Day at Mary Peter's Track - the sun shone and support was huge for these inspiring individuals!
The 34th Games, hosted by charity Transplant Sport UK (TSUK) exists to showcase the benefits of transplantation and to highlight the desperate need for organ donors. All the athletes taking part have received a life saving organ at some point in their lives. The Games helped to raise the number of people signed on to the Organ Donor Register to over 500,550 with the figure still rising.
The Belfast Team was bigger than ever with the Belfast Adult Team having around 60 competitors and the Children's Team with 15 competitors. Connie Taylor (4) from Doagh was the youngest athlete from Northern Ireland to take part.
Pictured above are Orla Smyth and Declan Smyth with Geoffrey Frawley (Devenish Nutrition) at the opening ceremony in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. Orla competed in Athletics for Team Belfast and Declan was a coach for the Athletics team. Orla won the Gold Medal at this year’s World Transplant Games in Sweden.
Orla commented “Whether or not the athletes win a medal is not important - they have all already won the greatest prize of all - the gift of life.” Geoffrey Frawley added – We are delighted to support this fantastic event. The opening ceremony this evening was a great celebration and I got to meet competitors like Orla and hear their courageous stories which made me even more aware how vital it is for people to register as a donor.
To find out more about the Games and how to become a donor, visit www.transplantsport.org.uk
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