Twenty-six Irish athletes are to participate in the fourth European Transplant and Dialysis Games, starting next Sunday. The team of 10 women and 16 men aged between 24 and 65 will compete against 20 other countries in Pécs, Hungary.
Comprising 22 heart, kidney or liver transplant recipients and four athletes currently undergoing dialysis, the team-members will compete in up to five events each. Badminton is the most popular sport among the Irish team-members, but swimming, cycling, bowling, darts, tennis and 10-pin bowling also feature.
"An athlete has maybe two strong events and then picks up two or three others for enjoyment," explained team manager Colin White.
Competitors are divided into age groups, and transplant and dialysed participants compete in separate events. Their participation is funded entirely by donations.
Mr White is confident the Irish can repeat their performance at the European Transplant and Dialysis Games in Slovenia in 2002, when the team finished third on the medals table, winning 72 medals between the 29 athletes.
"But it's more than about just medals," said Mr White. "It's about celebrating getting a second chance. These are people who were very, very sick at some point, their illness controlled and dictated their lives. They have the chance to reclaim ownership of their lives through training and participating. It's also a great mark of respect to the donors and their families."
Dr Emer Kilbride will travel with the group to Hungary. Her role as team doctor, which she described as "thankfully minimal", will consist of accompanying athletes undergoing dialysis and acting as the link between medical staff in Hungary and back in Ireland if needed.
Team captain Michael Dwyer (50) from Cabinteely, Dublin was among the winners in 2002, earning a doubles badminton medal with John Cormican from Roscommon.
Mr Dwyer underwent a kidney transplant in March 2000 and got involved in the games soon after.
"Someone mentioned the games at a branch meeting [of the Irish Kidney Association] and my ears pricked up and I thought, 'I can do that'. I had to give up football before the transplant and this seemed like a good opportunity to get back into things." He first captained the team in 2004 when they travelled to the World Transplant Games in Canada.
According to Mr Dwyer, training has made a "huge difference" to his health.
"It helped with getting over the shock of having to have a transplant," he said. "And I haven't had any kidney problems since."
Deirdre Faul (38) from Dalkey has also seen an improvement in her health since she started training with the team. A full-time mother to two young children aged six and eight, she admits to being "quite competitive" when it comes to the games.
She received a liver transplant in July 2003 and joined the team in April 2005. She will compete in four swimming events as well as 10-pin bowling.
"I'm fitter now than before my transplant," she said.
"I suppose once you've had a transplant your life balance shifts and it becomes less about things like money and more about your health and family. Now, if I don't get out once a week to the golf course or wherever, I feel I'm losing the energy I've built up.
"When you go to the games you meet people who've also had a transplant and it's easier to talk to them about your experience. It's more personal," she said.
Mr Dwyer said: "The buzz you get when you put on your jersey and represent your country is unreal. For me to be part of it as team captain is amazing.
"When I see the likes of Sonia O'Sullivan, we're up there with them. We're representing our country. We may not be getting the same amount of publicity, but we're up there."
The fourth European Transplant and Dialysis Games will take place from Sunday, August 13th to Monday, August 21st in Pécs, Hungary. More information: http://etdg2006.pecs hu/eng/index.php