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Celebrity Ambassadors For World Transplant Games

Left to right: Olympic gold medallist, Chad le Clos and surfer/shark diver, Olivia Symcox (in red vest), have been appointed World Transplant Games ambassadors and will be welcoming and inspiring the athletes participating in the event in Durban from July 28 - August 4 2012. With them are (left) World Transplant Games athletes, Cathy de Beer (Umhlanga Rocks) and (right) Anil Balmakund (Chatworth), both of whom are gold medalists for squash and have both had kidney transplants. Photo: Frances Park-Ross.

Celebrity Ambassadors For World Transplant Games

Date: 2013-04-18

The list of high profile sporting stars teaming up to welcome athletes from 55 countries to the 2013 World Transplant Summer Games, taking place in Durban from July 28 - August 4, is growing.

Inspirational messages of welcome and encouragement from these sporting luminaries will appear on television, in-flight entertainment channels and on the World Transplant Games website.

The line-up includes former Springbok rugby captain, Gary Teichman, big wave surfer, Grant "Twiggy' Baker, surfer/shark-diver, Olivia Symcox and Olympic medallists Bridgitte Hartley and Chad le Clos.

Chad, celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday April 12, with fellow ambassador, Olivia Symcox.

During his birthday celebrations, Chad le Clos disclosed how much he admires these athletes as he was a serious asthmatic at the age of eight and swimming was the only sport the doctors allowed him to participate in!

2000 participants from 55 countries are expected to attend the events which will unfold at various venues across Durban in the biggest organ donor awareness event in the world.

The event aims to offer hope to those awaiting transplants and encourage the public to become donors, by showing the difference that organ transplants can make to the lives of young and old.

World Transplant Games Federation President, Olivier Coustere, commented; "Countries that have hosted the event have experienced a 30 percent or higher increase in organ donation rates."

In addition to competing in qualifying events, competitors have to be transplant recipients of either solid organs or bone marrow.

There are over 50 events including athletics, swimming, tennis, squash, golf, volleyball and bowling. Cycling and road races will take place in the city.

At the 2011 competition in Gothenburg, Sweden, 47 South Africans participated, winning 17 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze medals. Four South Africans currently hold World Transplant Games world records.

The World Transplant Games are a celebration of the human spirit, giving individuals with previously life-threatening illnesses, the chance to compete in a high-level sports event and prove that they can not only lead normal, fulfilling lives, but push the boundaries of their physical endurance.

Register as an organ donor: https://www.odf.org.za .