World Transplant Games
The World Transplant Games is a five-day, multi-sport event held biannually in the odd-numbered years. Organized by the World Transplant Games Federation, the event attracts transplant athletes from around the world.
The first “Transplant Olympics,” organized by British transplant surgeon Maurice Slapak, were held in Portsmouth, England in 1978. Approximately 100 kidney transplant recipients, representing over a dozen countries, gathered in Olympic fashion. In subsequent years, the Transplant Olympics were renamed the World Transplant Games and held in New York, Athens, Amsterdam, Singapore, Budapest, Vancouver and Manchester, each time increasing in size and visibility.
The success of the World Games has served as the catalyst for the development of national games all over the world, including successful programs in Great Britain, Australia and France. In September 2000, the event was given support by the International Olympic Committee President, Juan Antonio Samaranch.
World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF)
- WTGF Constitution (PDF* 34KB)
- History of the World Transplant Games (PDF* 707KB)
- World Transplant Games Rules (PDF* 82KB)
WTGF Publications & Resources
- TransScribe Newsletter Oct 2007 (PDF* 34KB)
- TransScribe Newsletter Jan 2007 (PDF* 34KB)
- TransWorld Issue 2, 2007 (PDF* 2.1MB)
- TransWorld Issue 1, 2007 (PDF* 952KB)
- TransWorld Issue 2 2006 (PDF* 3.5MB)
- TransWorld Issue 1, 2006 (PDF* 2.2MB)
- TransWorld Issue 2, 2005 (PDF 3.1MB)
- TransWorld Issue 1, 2005 (PDF* 3MB)
Team USA
The United States has been participating in the World Transplant Games since their inception in 1978 in England. Team USA has been organized by the National Kidney Foundation since 1980 and is the recognized organizer of Team USA by the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF). The WTGF does not recognize local, state or provincial teams.
During World Transplant Games years, information will be forwarded from the country's Local Organizing Committee to Team USA Headquarters at the National Kidney Foundation. All transplant recipients who wish to participate in the World Transplant Games and who reside in the United States are eligible to be a part of Team USA.
If you are interested in receiving information on the World Transplant Games events and would like to be added to our Listserv to receive information send an email to transplant@kidney.org.
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