The Gaelic Players Association has leant its support to the European Transplant and Dialysis Games which will take place in Dublin in 2010 after a successful bid by the Irish Kidney Association to bring the Games to Ireland.
Every athlete at the Games, which will be centred on Dublin City University from August 8-15 next year, has either received a transplant or is currently on dialysis while awaiting a transplant. The athletes are a fabulous justification for organ donation and advertisement of the success of transplantation and it is hoped that in bringing the Games to Ireland that the general public will be inspired to carry an organ donor card and discuss their wishes with their next-of-kin.
Speaking about the Games, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: "The GPA has committed itself to supporting organ donation and the Irish Kidney Association and we are delighted to lend our backing to the Games next year. These athletes are an inspiration to us all and we look forward to watching them in action next August."
The ETD Games, launched recently by Irish athletics legend and Games Ambassador Eamonn Coghlan, will include 12 sports, ranging from athletics to volleyball, and it is expected that many of Ireland's leading sporting figures will turn up to witness the excitement for themselves.
"Over 400 athletes will come to Dublin from 24 countries. Many of them will celebrate the gift of life as they will be competing with a new kidney, liver, pancreas, heart or lungs, while others will manage to find the time and enthusiasm to train and compete while on dialysis," said Coghlan.
"It will be a phenomenal European Games. The Irish Team has performed brilliantly at recent European and World Games, and hosting these biennial Games will be an immense source of pride for all involved in transplant and dialysis sport in Ireland," Coghlan added.
Some members of the Irish team, including team captain Mick Dwyer, have joined the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games. LOC Chairman and Irish Team Manager Colin White, said: "the dialysis and transplant sports scene is very vibrant across Europe, and this will be an opportunity for Irish people to come and see the enthusiasm and quality of all the athletes."
A special website has been built - www.2010newlife.com - where supporters can follow the build-up to the Games. For an organ donor card FREETEXT the word 'DONOR' to 50050.
Some facts about the Games
- These are the 6th European Transplant & Dialysis Games
- Over 400 athletes from 24 countries will take part
- Athletes taking part will have received a transplant of one, or a combination, of the following: kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, lungs, bone marrow. Or else they will be receiving dialysis treatment
- In 2008, in Wurzburg, Germany, the Irish team finished third on the medals table from 24 competing countries. Ireland brought home a total of 42 medals