Last modified: 11 May 2000
We hope the Sydney World Transplant Games will deliver a great atmosphere in which to compete and many fond memories to take home.
Some facts:
The XI World Transplant Games has been cited as "one of the biggest events ever held in Sydney". This is due mainly to the logistics of transporting 2,200 people from over 16 hotels to up to four sporting venues a day, back to hotels, then to dinner and finally to all hotels in the evening.
Approximately 2,200 competitors and supporters will be present at the Games.
Over 50 countries will be competing which is a Games record.
For the first time, competitors will have the opportunity to compete at Pre-Olympic venues-the Sydney International Aquatic Centre and the Sydney International Athletics Centre.
The Xl World Transplant Games will have the largest junior representation yet, with over 60 junior competitors aged between 3 and 17 participating in the Games.
A major aim of the Games has been to express our appreciation to donor families. Our Donor Family Co- ordinatorhas invited donor families to the Games, particularly to present medals and to join in the Opening Ceremony Parade.
Some of the events:
Light up Australia Day- Friday 26th September 1997. As a prelude to the World Transplant Games, Australians are being asked to turn on their lights for fifteen minutes between 8pm and 8.15 pm on Friday 26th September 1997 to show their support for organ donation. An aerial shot will be taken of Australia and this will be made into a poster which will be for sale.
Sunday 28th - Tour of Sydney. St. Vincent's Exhibition in conjunction with the World Transplant Games Cultural Evening & Civic Reception, St. Vincent's Hospital 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. (Works of art by transplant recipients on exhibition. Teams from the WTG have been invited to perform a cultural item). Team Managers, performers and officials will attend the official opening. The evening will be attended by Mr. Michael Knight, Minister for the Olympics. This is the first time such an event has taken place in conjunction with the Games and media publicity is being organized to cover the event.
Monday 29th 11.15 am - 1.30 pm - Opening Ceremony Parade to Sydney Opera House. The Opening Ceremony will be opened by Sir William Deane the Governor General of Australia. 2.00pm - 7.00pm Opening Ceremony Function for officials, athletes and supporters at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Sunday 5th October Gala Event Dinner. Set by the fore shores of beautiful Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour Convention Centre will provide the perfect setting for the Games social finale. A formal sit down dinner for over 2,000 people, with guest band "Jelly Bean Jam", this is the social event of the week for all Games supporters to wine, dine and dance. The perfect farewell party to what we hope has been a wonderful week.
Games of Fun and Play As a full time employee in June 1997 and a previous competitor of the Games, l have had the pleasure of some great times, I wanted to help make the Sydney World Transplant Games one to remember. Much of the hard groundwork had already been done by our Director Mark Cocks, our Administrative Manager Carole West and the hardworking Sydney Management Committee. But there was a little left to do Let's just say, more than I could ever have imagined.
As a competitor you arrive off the plane, you receive your accreditation package, your room and your life for the week is planned. Ready, Set, Go. It all seems very simple and easy. Until you are involved in the organization. The magnitude of the Games; the organization, the finances, the sponsorship, the transport, the food, the entertainment, the venues, the Programme, the faxes flying around the world. Here is a sample day. 5.20 am in the morning, 10 faxes from Mark arrive. Have to organize a timetable for buses from here, there and ever where to transport 2,200 people to sporting venues, tolunches, to dinners. Where are we giving them lunch? When? How? In between organizing things, there is an Arts/Cultural evening happening for 200 people.... What are the colour and sizes of the T-Shirts for each category - officials, medical officers, media, team managers, the organizing committee, the competitors, the volunteers ....
All with a staff of one to begin with,
Then it built to four,
And all along those long and hard weeks
We would have loved lots more!
With the help of our many volunteer teams,
One thing we hope to achieve
Is that these Games go beyond your wildest dreams,
And you are all smiling when you leave!
When these Games come to life on the 29th September 1997, we hope they will be everything competitors and supporters could hope for. A memorable and magic mixture of great competition and great times. It is all about having fun, forming friendships, finding time to think about how lucky we are and feeling healthy, happy and full of hope for the future. And giving the competition all we can.
Last modified:
11 May 2000