A SUMMER OF SPORT
THE BRITISH AND WORLD
TRANSPLANT GAMES 2007
My preparation for a
summer of Transplant Games started off well with the British Transplant Games
in Edinburgh, 26th – 29th July. I wanted to do well here
to feel confident going into the World Games later in the summer. Edinburgh is
a beautiful city and we were blessed with a glorious weekend of sunshine. I
entered four events, Cycling 5K time trial, Athletics 100m, 200m and 400m,
winning Gold in each. I felt pretty good, no niggles or injuries and now one
month to go until Thailand!
Finally the time had
come, hoping all the training would pay off, I flew to Thailand to take part in
the XVI World Transplant Games, 25th August – 2nd
September in Bangkok. The World Games are our Transplant Olympics and the
biggest international celebration of the gift of life that there is. It is a
unique opportunity to share in giving thanks to all donor families, to
demonstrate the healthy and active lifestyle that can be achieved after organ
transplantation and to raise the profile of organ donation.
Over 1,000 athletes
from 50 countries competed in a wide range of events, including archery,
cycling, swimming, track and field, racquet sports, golf, pentanque, shooting
and volleyball. We compete for medals but the whole experience is really a
celebration and is about fun, friendship, great camaraderie between teams and
living life to the full! This was my third World Games, having previously
competed for Great Britain in France 2003 and Canada 2005. It was great to
catch up with friends from all over the world, meet new ones and soak up the
wonderful atmosphere that is the World Transplant Games.
Bangkok welcomed us
with open arms and with huge enthusiasm, Thailand truly is the “land of
smiles,” everyone was so friendly. The GB team of over 100, stayed in the
Bangkok Palace Hotel, which actually sounds grander than it was and we had the
equivalent of five times Spaghetti Junction in between us and most of the
venues, so the bus transport to events took ages through the busy traffic. We
were better off getting taxis to dodge between the cars or if you were brave
enough, a tuk tuk! After the parade of athletes and the entertainment at the
opening ceremony, the Games were declared open.
On Monday 27th
the first day of competition had finally arrived and my first event, the 5K
Cycling time trial at the new highway out of the main city. The heat and
humidity were almost unbearable, when I got off the air-conditioned bus at the
venue even my shins and forearms started sweating and it was 5.00 p.m! Across
all the cycling age groups, male and female, there were to be 60 riders, so a
great spectacle to be a part of and we had great crowd support. The first event
is always the worst with nerves, what to expect, will the training pay off and
trying to focus. I was the 6th rider to set off just after 6.00
p.m., once on the ramp the countdown, five, four, three, two, one and I was
off! All other thoughts went out of my head, I was just trying to catch the
girl in front and go as fast as I could, using every drop of energy and then
some, to ride the route as fast as possible right to the line and then wait to
see if it was good enough. I was ecstatic I’d done it, Gold medal and beating
Irma from Hungary into silver by 20 seconds whilst Lisa from Australia took
bronze! I was delighted, it had been a thrilling ride and I was now well into
the Games. I was captain of our cycling team of four and cheered the men on in
their races, Andy and Rich also got Golds so a good night for GB. After all the
racing and medal ceremonies were over we were all taken to a restaurant and
then the bus back to the hotel. That was an eventful journey as the bus was
stopped by the police and the driver did a runner!
The following day I
was to return to the cycling venue (we did get back to the hotel eventually –
the driver came back when the police had gone!) for the 20K road race. The
supporters and spectators watched the excitement unfold as places continued to
change as we took on the course. Again it came down to me, Irma and Lisa. I
managed to take it away on the final lap and was absolutely thrilled to win
Gold and be double World Champion. Lisa and Irma swapped places with Lisa in
Silver and Irma in Bronze. I then watched the men’s race and cheered on my team
mates, the pack riding for the men is exciting to watch with some very close
finishing Andy was beaten into silver by the width of a tyre and Rich took
Gold.
Fortunately I had the
next couple of days off before the athletics started on Friday. The heat at the
track was intense and timing the warm up whilst trying to keep cool and
hydrated is always a challenge. Then my 100m was up, the lanes were full and
some very fit looking competition. When the gun went off I flew out of the
blocks, I knew there was lots of cheering, as a Cypriot girl and I took the
lead, but I didn’t hear a thing. I found myself trying to catch her and
although I was gaining on her I ran out of track! The race was over in a flash
and I had a Silver medal. I was delighted, it had been a good race and I had
done a PB of 15:53. I still had the 200m to do the next day and thought I might
be stronger than Christina in that.
The 200m was at 9.00
a.m. on Saturday morning, not a sociable time to run and very hot and humid
again already although I seemed to compete well in the heat and was confident.
The race was a close one, I lead off the bend but Christina was on my inside
and as we raced the home straight she beat me by 0.2 seconds, but my
overwhelming feeling was “what a great race” and I had smashed my previous PB
by nearly 2 seconds to do 31.62 and take Silver.
I thought my events
were over but was then selected by the team captain for the 4x400m relay which
was to be the last race of the day. The GB men had just won their race in a
thrilling finish and then we were up next. It was great to be part of a team
event and we all gave what we had left, I took the last leg to bring the baton
home for GB Gold, we had beaten the Aussies into second and not many people can
say that! My events were over and I had such a great feeling of achievement and
had made some great new friends along the way. To sum it up I was exhausted but
happy! GB had topped the medal table again, with Australia second and USA
third. We all deserved a good party which was catered for by a spectacular Gala
dinner with a party and dancing until the early hours of Sunday morning. My
legs didn’t care by that point, and I could always go for another massage!
I’m looking forward to
next year’s British Games to be held in Sheffield and then in 2009 the next
World Games will be on the Australian Gold Coast and I will certainly be aiming
to take part!
I would like to thank
everyone at Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC for all your support and especially
Andy J who selflessly gives up so much of his time coaching on the track, I
couldn’t have done this without you, thank you so much. Also thanks to the
other coaches Tony C, Tony A and Malc for the time and dedication you give at
all the training sessions.
Gone for a lie down!
Zoë Dixon
If you want to
register on the NHS Organ Donor Register phone 0845 60 60 400 or visit www.uktransplant.org.uk,
even if you currently carry a donor card, registering is important and remember
to let your family know your wishes.