World turns its eyes to Tyneside
TRANSPLANT SPORT STARS TO DESCEND ON REGION IN 2019
AN international delegation from the World Transplant Games has arrived in the North East this week as the region gears up for the event.
Last year Tyneside triumphed over Texas in its bid to host the games in August 2019.
And this week saw delegates from across the globe visit the region to review preparations.
The event will see more than 3,000 participants from 50 countries descend on the North East, all of whom have had organ and tissue transplants.
World Transplant Games Federation president Chris Thomas (Australia), executive manager Kim Renyard (South Africa) and treasurer Colin White (Ireland), met with members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the World Transplant Games NewcastleGateshead 2019 to discuss preparation for the games.
They also visited local venues, including Close House, which will play host to the golf in 2019.
The World Transplant Games NewcastleGateshead will take place from August 17-24, 2019, and will be hosted at some of the region’s top sports venues, including Gateshead International Stadium, Sport Central at Northumbria University, Newcastle United Football Club and the Sunderland Aquatic Centre.
Mr Thomas said: “The aim of the World Transport Games is to raise awareness of the need for more donors globally, while encouraging transplant patients to regain fitness.
“The North East of England is world-renowned for expertise in transplantation and this was among the many reasons that the Federation decided NewcastleGateshead would be a fantastic location to host the World Transplant Games in 2019.
“It’s brilliant to hear how the preparations are coming along and see how our athletes will be welcomed in 2019.”
Graham Wylie, chair of the Local Organising Committee for World Transplant Games 2019, said: “The World Transplant Games demonstrate the extraordinary things that transplant patients are able to achieve and help to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.
“We are honoured to be able to welcome an inspiring celebration of human courage and physical fitness to the North East.” NewcastleGateshead was chosen as the World Transplant Games host venue in 2016, beating off stiff competition from Houston, Texas. The summer instalment of the World Transplant Games takes place every two years and was last held in the UK 22 years ago with Manchester as host city. Its return is due in part to NewcastleGateshead’s delivery of the 2015 British Transplant Games.