A Co Wicklow carpenter who has received a liver transplant got the Irish team off to a good start yesterday when the 16th World Transplant Games opened in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tony Gartland (42), who lives at Hacketstown on the Wicklow/Carlow border, finished second in the 5km road race.
Gartland was given a new lease of life when he received his transplant liver in June 1993. As part of his way of saying thanks to the family of the donor he has competed in every World Transplant Games since.
"This is my 10th medal and it is very sweet, particularly as I was the first Irish athlete into competition in these games," he said. "More than anything else these games are about promoting awareness of the fact that people can live full and active lives after receiving a new organ."
Gartland was beaten into second place in the 5km road race by long-time rival Juan Pablo Juarez from Argentina. Later in the week he plans to compete in the 800m and 1,500m races and in the 5km walk.
"When I received the transplant I didn't appreciate it at first," Gartland explained. "But now I am aware of the huge difference it has made to my life. I really live life to the full now."
Supporters of the Irish team have been sending messages of goodwill to the athletes on www.transplantteamireland.com
Anyone wishing to obtain an organ donor card can free-text the word "DONOR" to 50050 or log on to www.ika.ie for further information.