Team USA 2007 Complete Registration Packet (PDF 417kb)
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The following 2007 World Transplant Games information has been received from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Thailand and adapted specifically for Team USA participants. Enclosed you will find general information and various registration forms and documents. Please read through carefully and make special note of all deadlines. A checklist of all required documentation that must be submitted is enclosed. If you have any questions about the World Transplant Games or being a part of Team USA, please feel free to contact Team USA Headquarters at (800) 622-9010.
PLEASE READ THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION THOROUGHLY
Do not book travel, hotel, car rental or any other expense for this trip until you have read the information contained in this document.
OFFICIAL DATES & SITE
The 2007 World Transplant Games will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from Saturday, August 25 to Sunday, September 2, 2007. Official Website: www.16thworldtransplantgame.com.
The World Transplant Games is a multi-disciplinary sporting event held every two years under the auspices of the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF). The purpose of the World Transplant Games is to promote the importance of organ donation and the success of transplantation through the demonstration of athletic excellence in the area of sport and competition.
Sixty countries have been invited to compete at these Games, where the very best transplant athletes, representing their respective nations will vie for gold, silver and bronze medals. The WTG also welcomes living donors, donor family members, family/friends and transplant professionals.
According to the WTGF, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Bangkok is carefully examining all security arrangements for the World Transplant Games to ensure that the recent world-wide security problems are fully taken into account. The relevant authorities have been kept in the picture and have informed the LOC that they will be taking all necessary precautions. The National Police Office (Government Administrative Officer), in collaboration with the Mayor of Bangkok and the LOC, has planned more than adequate services and facilities for an event of this size and complexity. Working groups have been set up involving the City Council and the Government security services to ensure optimum security during the World Games. Guards and representatives from an external private security company will protect all events taking place outside the sporting venues.
World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) President, Olivier Coustere, made this statement concerning safety at the Games:
"I would like to reassure you all on the points that concern you most - security, health and safety. These are issues which are always of the utmost priority both to WTGF and the LOC - in this case, we have assurances from the Bangkok authorities that all possible measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of the public - the current political situation is calmer, and whilst there are no guarantees in life, they will do everything they can to prevent trouble. On the subject of avian flu, we hope to have regular updates if the situation changes in any dramatic way-as it has done in the UK. Again, there are no guarantees but we have to remain aware and will keep you informed."
For additional information and Q & A’s about avian influenza (bird flu) for travelers, you may call the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at (800) 311-3435 or visit their website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_flu/key_facts_travelers_notice.htm.
Since there are not any Department of State Travel Warnings against trips to Thailand as of date, and there are still a number of U.S. athletes who want to travel to the World Games, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is still planning to support Americans opting to participate in the event. Team USA Management will continue to monitor the situation for any changes that may affect this decision. If there aren’t any changes we will proceed as planned and take as many precautions as possible. All Team USA members are equally responsible for monitoring the international travel information for any changes in the local conditions, and for registering your trips with the U.S. Embassy. You can sign-up to automatically receive email updates with Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets that are issued by the U.S. Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/travel_info.asp?popup=true.
Millions of Americans travel abroad every year and encounter no difficulties. However, U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. When an emergency happens, or if natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can be your source of assistance and information. By registering your trip, you help the embassy or consulate locate you when you might need them the most. Registration is voluntary and costs nothing, but it should be a big part of your travel planning and security. To register your trip, visit https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.
Additionally, you can review information from the World Health Organization on international health and travel at: http://www.who.int/ith/en/ or contact the Regional Office for the Americas in Washington, D.C. at (202) 974-3000.