Ireland Wins Contest To Host European Transplant And Dialysis Games

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Ireland Wins Contest To Host European Transplant And Dialysis Games

Posted 31.08.07

Ireland has been announced as the winner of the race to host the 2010 European Transplant and Dialysis Games, and there are hopes that it could prove the fore-runner to a staging of the World Transplant Games.

The news of Ireland’s successful bid was revealed at the 16th World Transplant Games in Bangkok, where an Irish official presented a strong submission for the 2010 European Games to take place in Dublin.

“We are delighted with the news. We worked extremely hard in preparing what we believed to be a very good case for Ireland to host the Games,” said the head of the Irish delegation Colin White.

“The Games will cost about €700,000 to stage, with half of the revenue coming from registration fees. It will be a big undertaking to obtain the rest of the money, but we are confident the Irish business community will respond generously.”

At least 21 countries will take part in the Games, ranging all the way across Europe as far as The Ukraine. There will be over 450 athletes and almost 1,000 support personnel. The athletes will all have obtained a transplant, and will include recipients of new kidneys, livers and hearts.

“This is the first time for Ireland to host these Games. The main venue will be the Aer Lingus Sports and Social Centre at Dublin Airport, and we will also be using DCU for accommodation, the National Aquatic Centre, Coolock Leisureplex, and St Margaret’s Golf Club.”

The event will take place from August 8th to 18th, 2010. The Irish delegation included Mark Murphy and Miriam Bryan of the Chief Executive of the Irish Kidney Association, and transplant athlete Michael Dwyer.

The Irish team has already won 14 medals at the World Transplant Games which finish in Bangkok on Saturday.

More information on the Transplant Games can be obtained on www.TransplantTeamIreland.com. For an organ donor card free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050 or for more information log on to www.ika.ie.

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=2507