Australian Transplant Games to be held at AIS campus

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) campus in Canberra will hold the Australian Transplant Games from 1st – 6th October, marking the first time the event has been held in six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event is anticipated to attract more than 500 athletes, donors and families. Hosted by Transplant Australia, the Australian Transplant Games raises awareness of organ donation and encourages transplant recipients to get involved in sport and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Games are open to organ and tissue recipients, those awaiting transplant, donor family members and donors alike.

There are 19 sports on offer including swimming, athletics, basketball, volleyball, soccer, badminton as well as seated activities like backgammon, scrabble and suduko.

Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Kieren Perkins said the ASC was pleased to host the Games which was last held in Canberra in 2010.

Perkins noted “events like this encourage and support individuals that may not have had the opportunity to be involved in sport before and aligns with our belief that sport has a place for everyone.

“The AIS is the ideal location to host specialised multi-sport events like this with a range of facilities located within walking distance.”

The announcement follows news that the AIS will host more than 300 athletes and support staff for the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August – the first time the event has been held in Australia.

The Games will also follow on from the successful World Transplant Games held in Perth last year, which was supported by the Australian Government.

With more than 1,800 people currently on the organ donation waiting list, Transplant Australia Chief Executive Chris Thomas is encouraging Australians to discuss organ and tissue donation with their families.

Thomas adds “the Australian Transplant Games highlights the importance of organ and tissue donation in transforming lives. It also enables transplant recipients to work towards fitness and sporting goals.

“The opportunity for transplant athletes to mix it with Australia’s elite athletes is one not to miss.”

Canberra’s Bradley Stanley received a life-saving liver transplant when he was two and is looking forward to returning to the track for his fifth national games.

The middle-distance runner has also represented the nation at the World Transplant Games in 2017 and 2019 but the 24-year-old says the event means so much more than medals.

“It’s about the community you can build, it’s about the friends you can make. I’ve made friends from all over the world, and it helps you find like-minded people who understand what you’ve been through,” Stanley shared.

The Organ and Tissue Authority, publicly known as DonateLife, is an official partner of the 17th Australian Transplant Games.

For more information visit australiantransplantgames.com