World Transplant Games Federation president, Olivier Coustere, said: “Countries that have hosted the event have experienced a 30% or higher increase in organ donation rates.”
Lungile Mathupha, The New Age
The the biggest organ donor awareness event, the World Transplant Games, takes place in Durban from July 28 to August 2 and is set to draw 1800 participants from a total of 50 countries.
“This event, unfolding in various venues within the city, is a celebration of the human spirit, giving individuals with previously life-threatening illnesses, the chance to compete in a high-level sports event and prove that they can not only lead normal, fulfilling lives, but push the boundaries of their physical endurance,” James Nxumalo, mayor of eThekwini, said.
He added that the municipality was proud to be associated with these games, as they represented a very significant course which is saving people’s lives.
The eThekwini municipality said that the aim of the games is to offer hope to those awaiting transplants and encourage the public to become donors, by showing the difference that organ transplants can make to the lives of young and old.
Competitors have to be recipients of solid organs or bone marrow in order to participate in the qualifying games. The games include athletics, swimming, tennis, squash, golf, volleyball and bowling. In total there are 50 events competitors can get involved in.
There are also cycling and road races which will take place in the city.
The 100m race has a competition record of 11.18 seconds and the long jump 6.85m, so the standard of the games is high and expectations are high for a lot of excitement and good results from this year’s event.
In 2011 the games were hosted by Gothenburg, Sweden and from the 47 SA participants, the country won 17 gold medals, 17 silver and 14 bronze. Four South Africans hold World Transplant Games world records.
South African sports stars such as Chad Le Clos have teamed up to welcome all the competitors as well as to encourage the public to register as organ donors.
World Transplant Games Federation president, Olivier Coustere, said: “Countries that have hosted the event have experienced a 30% or higher increase in organ donation rates.”
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