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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.

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World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF)

WTGF Publications & Resources

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.

2009 Summer World Transplant Games

The Gold Coast will play host to the World Transplant Summer Games from August 22-30, 2009 when up to 3,000 participants from more than 70 countries descend on the family-friendly tourist location. In order to help you start planning we have approximated costs for the Games to be about $800 for registration, transportation, including room & board, plus airfare (about $1300). To register for the World Transplant Games, visit www.worldtransplantgames09.com.

Renowned for its subtropical climate, with temperatures during your stay averaging from 9 to 21 degrees Celsius (48 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit), the Gold Coast has attractions suitable for all ages, including theme parks with some of the world's tallest and fastest thrill rides.

Visitors enjoy meeting native animals at wildlife sanctuaries, cruising expansive waterway and canal systems, catching a stage show or taking a hike through superb national parks. If you are a keen shopper there are many excellent bargains to be found as well as hundreds of restaurants, cafes and bars with a mix of local and international food, fun and music.

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will be used as the Games hub and events will take place at many of the sporting facilities on the Coast including Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre.  Athletes will be housed in laid-back family-style apartments, within walking distance of the Gold Coast Convention Centre - helping to build a village-like atmosphere. Breakfast and dinners will be at the centre, providing an opportunity for everyone to meet new people. There are also planning plenty of social functions at the start so participants will get into that 'family' or 'team' mode straight away. A pre-games bush dance is planned the night before the opening ceremony and an open air concert after the opening ceremony. 

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