The 10th World Transplant Games in Manchester in August
1995 were a watershed. They were, in a word, professional.
As an organisation, we had come of age.
Certainly the publicity was the best we have ever had. The one result which, I feel, outweighed all others was that there was a 31 % increase in organ donation in the North West region during the two months before and after the Games (1995) compared to the same period in 1994. Translated that means that 38 men and women had their lives transformed. Indeed a proportion of those people would be dead, were it not for that result. And that's wonderful. It is something which Neil Parrott and his team and, indeed, all of us-particularly the competitors, can be justifiably proud.
But it is a very bright spot on a very large grey picture. What
was its effect in Australia? In France? In India? What happened
in November 1995? And what about 1996? I regret to have to
tell you.
Not much !
I strongly believe it is time to really look at our organisation and ask some questions. What will we look like in the year 2000? What will we have to show for close to a quarter of a century of effort?
Yes,we have had some great times, yes we have met some wonderful people and found some superb friends all over the world. Who can forget the historic dignity of the Coliseum in Athens, the Marathon in Grand Central Park in New York, the garden party in Amsterdam,the mountains in Innsbruck,the President's Palace in Singapore,the gaiety of the Gala Night in Budapest, the sheer grandeur of Vancouver and the Opening Ceremony of Manchester. And the warmth, kindness and hospitality of all those places. But is that enough?
In 1997, we shall meet in Sydney, Australia and in 1999 in Tilburg, Holland. Can I ask you to help us in trying to bridge the great 'GAP'. That is to make a real and measurable impact on the gap between the number of lifesaving organs donated and the number desperately needed world wide.
To do that, we in the W.T.G.F. need to become a much stronger, larger, better
organised and a more effective body than we are at present. We, that is I and
The Council, will tell you of our thoughts and our suggestions to achieve that
goal. You must share with us your thoughts and suggestions as well as the specific
problems and factors which pertain in your country. In 1996 methods of communication
have never been better. Please, please communicate your thoughts to me and/or to
the Council. It is the only way we can succeed. And we must.
The W.T.G.F. is now mature enough so that we can step back, build up on what has already been done and restore our goals. In a word, to take on a new lease of life.
The W.T.G.F. must give itself the means of action to come up to the hopes and
expectations it has aroused. It must be a big family who stick together. By its
actions, the world must be made aware of the actual success of transplantation
and urgent need for organ donation. This is a task which requires an active
involvement from all of us.
I am looking forward to meeting you again.
Sincerely yours,
OLIVIER COUSTERE - W.T.G.F. Secretary
First let me wish you all a Happy New Year! 1995 was an
eventful year, the highlight of which was the World Transplant
Games in Manchester, and what a superb World Games it
turned out to be. Great performances from the athletes, a sprit
of friendship all around us, a visit to Britain's favourite
street, and at the finish a fantastic firework display. Even the
weather put on its best show, making it difficult to remember
that Manchester is renowned for its rainfall. The venues
provided for the Games were excellent, although we might
have liked the stadium to be a little closer to the campus.
I am sure that I am voicing the feelings of the W.T.G.F. when I congratulate the Manchester Team on a wonderfully organised games.
One of my New Year Resolutions was to produce the newsletter in good time. Unfortunately, I forgot that it is comprised of articles sent in from all over the world, and it is not easy to collect enough of them to fill the magazine. So for 1996, would anyone who feels that they can make a contribution please send it to me for the next newsletterin the summer. Letters, articles, stories and poems would be appreciated, perhaps with photographs - and the odd complaint.
Now that the 1997 World Games is planned to take place in Australia, I expect potential athletes are preparing themselves for the competitions. I am sure that you are looking forward to another Games in the sun.
In order to ensure the smooth running of the next Games, I feel that the Council might consider the following points:
I have to say that l will miss Peter Griffin, our out-going Secretary. l have worked with him for many years and have always found him full of enthusiasm, accessible, and generous with the time he gave to the W.T.G.F. He was determined to get things correct, and worked very hard to this end. Peter will not be an easy man to follow as Secretary.
Olivier was 33 years old when he received his first transplant in 1982, on his
20th birthday. His brother generously gave him the kidney. He did rather well
on this, until in fact in 1994, when the kidney ran out of steam and a second
transplant was necessary. We are delighted that this was sucessful, and he is
back to being his old aggressive self again!
The French Transplant Sports Association, with which Olivier is practically synonymous, and which is called Trans-Forme, was founded in 1989, with Olivier as its President. It was the culmination of much effort, and at last the transplant sports fraternity had their own organisation.
Nevertheless Olivier retains great sympathies towards people on dialysis, and the French Games includes both transplanted people and those who are receiving dialysis.
Trans-Forme is an energetic association, with an office in Paris, and a dedication towards the promotion of organ donation, particularly through the use of media, and also through efforts particularly in school children, and young people at polytechnics. Trans-Forme is one of the best organised of all the national associations with a host of volunteers throughout France, as well as a permanent staff in a Paris office. As President of Trans-Forme, Olivier is responsible for organising the first World Winter Games, and has repeated his success this year at Pra Loup.
Coming to the post as secretary, he tells us that his goals are two words - better communications, not only between our member countries but also the spreading of the message to make all our members realise that our sporting event - the World Transplant Games - is a wonderful tool for bridging the gap between organ donation and organ need. It is not itself a goal.
An event which we all noted with delight, was his marriage to Myriam last year. There were so many warm wishes for the young couple from our members around the world.
Welcome to our new secretary.
