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Previously, the games have been held in various major cities around the country. such as Edinburgh, Manchester and London - therefore this year’s event is pushing Coventry’s status as an important sporting city. The games are a four day event which could generate up to 900 competitors.

The games village is in the University of Warwick, with many of the competitions taking place at the university or around the city. Events over the weekend are taking place at Coventry Sports Centre, Brandon Wood Golf Course, Memorial Park and Royal Leamington Spa Canoe Club.

History

The British Transplant Games have taken place yearly ever since its beginnings in 1978. Maurice Slapak CBE, the founder of the games, was a consultant transplant surgeon when he started the games and around 100 competitors took place in that first one day games in 1978. Since then the competition has grown into a four day weekend event with other 900 athletes and 1500 supporters cheering them to glory.

Some competitors come to win medals, with the possibility of being chosen for the World Transplant Games at the back of their minds, while others come to enjoy a few days of fun and compete at their own pace. Many have old friendships they renew each year at the games or make new friends with the people who have had the same debilitating illness but have now recovered and are fully fit as a result of a successful transplant.

Aim of the Games

The aim of the games is ultimately to encourage the transplant patients back to fitness and hopefully a long healthy life. The games also try to raise awareness of transplants and the amount of lives they save. Last year some 2,800 lives were saved through organ donors and transplants.

Evidence shows that wherever the event is held, the number of people signing the organ donor register increases, which is good news as the number of people awaiting transplant is on the rise.

Events

Transplant Games competitors have an array of sports they can compete in, which include darts, golf, squash, volleyball, swimming and many, many more. Whilst a high level of sportsmanship and competitiveness is visible, the main emphasis is on celebrating being alive.

The games opening ceremony is Thursday, 30 July in University Square, finishing with a Gala Dinner at the University of WarwickΜύ on Sunday, 2 August.

For further information, visit the British Transplant Games website: