Transplant Games 2020 launched

REPRESENTATIVES of 22 nations converged in the capital for the official launch of the Irish Kidney Association’s hosting of the 11th European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Dublin in 2020.

Members of the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Federation gathered at the IKA’s Renal Support Centre at Beaumont Hospital for the launch which followed an inspection tour of sporting venues.

Roddy Guiney, chairman of the Federation of Irish Sport, and Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom Kitt, along with members of the championships’ local organising committee and Transplant Team Ireland, attended the event.

The 2020 Championships, which will take place from August 2-9, will see transplant and dialysis athletes from over 25 nations, ranging in age from 18 to over 80-years-old, descend on Dublin’s northside to celebrate life through sport.

The championships offer participants an opportunity to honour their donors and play their part in looking after their own health.

At the launch, Giuseppe Canu, chairman of the organising committee for the previous Games held in Cagliari, Italy, handed over the athletics baton to Balbriggan man Colin White, chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ETDSC 2020.

Mr White is also secretary of the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Federation and National Projects Manager of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA).

Speaking at the event, Mr Guiney said: “We are delighted that the 2020 European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships are coming to Dublin.

“Sport has a major role to play in making for a more inclusive society and events such as this highlight just how inclusive sport can be.

“While the event is obviously of major interest to all transplant recipients and people on dialysis, I believe its impact will go far beyond that, demonstrating the power and importance of sport for everyone.

It will also be another platform for us to showcase our sports facilities and our ability to deliver first class international events.”

Colin White said: “We are so excited to be bringing the championships back to Dublin which will involve over 500 participants.

“Since we last hosted in 2010, I have worked closely with each subsequent local organising committee on behalf of the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Federation. All of this sets us up well to deliver a memorable and impactful event.

Mr White added: “In the nine years that have followed since 2010 over 2,000 people have undergone lifesaving transplants in Ireland. However, the number of people on dialysis has grown by 20 percent since then.”

The championships will allow competitors who have either received a transplant (including heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas or bone marrow) or who are undergoing dialysis treatment to compete in a broad range of sports on offer.  Athletes and supporters will be staying at the games’ hub, Dublin City University, where many of the sports will be held, while some sports will take place in other parts of Dublin’s northside including the National Aquatic Centre, National Athletics Stadium and the Phoenix Park as well as Tallaght Community School on the southside and Black Bush Golf Club in County Meath.