Transplant Australia and Kieren Perkins OAM, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), are pleased to announce that the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) will host the Australian Transplant Games in Canberra this October.
With state-of-the-art sporting facilities, ranging from athletics to swimming and indoor sports, the AIS is the ideal venue to host the Games.
Transplant Australia CEO, Chris Thomas, said it was another brilliant opportunity for transplant athletes to rub shoulders with some of Australia’s up and coming sporting stars.
“This opportunity demonstrates the importance of transplant sports in Australia, and it is wonderful to have Kieren Perkins, sporting royalty in his own right, welcoming our athletes to the institute and Canberra.”
ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the ASC was pleased to host the Games which was last held in Canberra in 2010.
“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,” Perkins said.
“The AIS is the ideal location to host specialised multi-sport events like this with a range of facilities located within walking distance.”
The Games – a week of sport and celebration for all those who have received a life-saving transplant – is heading to our nation’s capital, from October 1 to 6, 2024.
The Organ and Tissue Authority, publicly known as DonateLife, is the Official Partner of the 2024 Australian Transplant Games.
The Games plays an important role in demonstrating the positive outcomes of organ and tissue donation through sporting participation and competition, and providing opportunities for transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
A key message to the Australian public through the Games will be to reinforce discussion about donation and encouraging Australians to register their decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Over six days, transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families will have the opportunity to represent their state and compete in 19 different sports. Ranging from lawn bowls and pétanque to athletics and cycling the Games provide both elite and social athletes the chance to compete on a national stage and celebrate the gift of life that made it all possible. The Games encourages transplant recipients to improve their health and fitness around their transplanted organ and promotes the benefits of sport at all levels.
This will be the 17th Australian Transplant Games and just the second time they have been held in Canberra. The Australian transplant community will also be joined by transplant athletes from regional neighbours including New Zealand and Asia.
The Games promote the important message that transplantation saves lives – and every Australian can leave a legacy by registering as an organ and tissue donor.
Transplant Australia CEO Chris Thomas, said with more than 1,800 Australians now waiting for a transplant it was crucial we promoted the positive message of the lives saved through the gift of life.
“Every Australian can make a difference by registering as a donor. It takes just one minute but has the potential to give someone years of extra life,” Mr Thomas said.
“These Games demonstrate what transplant recipients can achieve on the sporting field. Transplant Australia is committed to improving the lives of those waiting and those who have received a transplant and is proud to work with Federal and State Governments to achieve our shared vision for Australia in donation and transplantation.”
