The 10th European Heart & Lung Transplant Games
(23rd - 27th July 2004)

A Review of The Dublin Games

The Great Britain squad at the European Transplant Games  had a complement of 75 people, 53 of whom were competitors.   I am proud to tell you that the Freeman contingent was 30 people, 23 having had either a heart or lung transplant.   The rest being much valued supporters.

The Freeman squad won 27 Gold / 24 Silver / 8 Bronze medals.   Fantastic achievement!

Rather than simply catalogue individual's performances (good or bad) this review attempts to illustrate just how friendly and good fun the European Games are.   There are many social events organised and these all combine to make it the best of all the Transplant Games.

The Opening of the Games

From the moment we arrived at Dublin airport to be chaperoned onto a shuttle bus to our luxurious 4* hotel, till we departed, the Irish were fabulous hosts.   They have a saying in Ireland ,"Céad mile fáilte" which means a hundred thousand welcomes.   Let me tell you,  they sell themselves short.

Malcolm Banks, chairman, and Terry Mangan, vice chairman, and all of their team were fantastic hosts, and in Terry's case not bad at golf either.

After settling into the Burlington Hotel, which was to be our home for the next 6 days, the first function we attended was the opening ceremony.   Unfortunately due to the poor weather the parade of athletes had to be cancelled so the formalities took place in the banqueting suite.

There were 18 countries represented at the games consisting of 500+ competitors and their supporters and everyone assembled to be entertained, fed, watered and hear the speeches.

Click on images to enlarge

The Irish President, Mary Macaleese welcomed us and spoke very movingly to the hushed gathering.   This was no politicians' speech written by script writers, these words were spoken by someone who cares and it was a very emotional address that had me, at least , wiping the tears from my cheeks.

As ever, the host country gains maximum publicity for the Games and the TV cameras were there to broadcast her words.    When the President left she took time out to be photographed by athletes in the audience and had kind words for lots of others.   Her exit took a good 10 minutes as the warmth of everyone towards her was obvious.

This was a wonderful start to the Games.  

Day 2 - Friday

Dinner & cabaret - we were wined and dined and entertained by the hotel's very own theatre company.   A very Irish night involving singing, dancing and a comedian.   For those of you who remember "The Good Old Days" which used to be on TV this was an Irish version and very professionally done.

I am not sure if half of the audience, who were non English speaking, could understand the quick fire Irish comic, but we were all falling about with laughter at  our table.

At about 10pm a couple of lady table tennis players introduced themselves to me and began asking for all sorts of information.   I had been delegated the job of team captain for tomorrow's competition as the GB team manager was attending the swimming gala.   The joys of office.

Day 3 - Saturday

Table tennis or to give it it's posh name ping pong, is a great way to maintain a modicum of fitness and it is also, or can be, a very competitive sport.   Along with badminton and swimming it is probably the most popular pastime for transplant recipients, other than walking.

Our coaches again departed at 7.45am to take us to the excellent Aer Lingus sports hall near Dublin airport.   Why we had to get there this early, we arrived at 8.20am, was a complete mystery.   The first match did not get under way till just before 10am.

Great Britain was well represented at the event, we had 18 entrants in all categories and by the time the last pong was pinged our medal tally was 4 Gold / 7 bronze and 6 silver medals.   An excellent but very slow day of sport

The GB table tennis squad .Riveting game?

BBQ at Leopardstown Pavilion - Those of you who enjoy a flutter on the donkeys will be familiar with this location.   We arrived in a convoy of coaches on a gloriously sunny evening.   The food was good and the company excellent.   My wife, Christine, and I sat next to three Irish couples and we enjoyed the craic.   I even ventured onto the dance floor but was  too late to strut my stuff as Christine was already  dancing with someone else.   I decided to sit and blether to my mate Reg and the rest of the Scottish Braveheart team (pictured)

As tomorrow was a big day in the athletics stadium we left just after 11.30pm and I was tucked up in bed not long after the witching hour.

Day 4 - Sunday

The Gala Dinner - as is customary the gala dinner is a formal event at which the Lord Mayor of Dublin was present and it is here that all of the trophies are handed out and the venue for the next games are announced.  

The 2006 European Heart & Lung Transplant Games - will be staged in Napoli (Naples) - Italy.

It will not surprise you to learn that the evening went off with military precision and was another thoroughly enjoyable night.   Good food, good company and good night.

Summary - With the exception of some late results and missing medals, the 10th European Heart & Lung Transplant Games were a huge success.   All credit to the organising committee and every single volunteer.   Some of them were still working in the sports management centre office after midnight on the days of the competitions.   We cannot thank them enough, but I will try.........

.........On behalf of every competitor and supporter who attended the Games:-

 "Slán leat agus go raibh maith agut".

 All the results can now be found on the following site www.ihlta.com

 The Freeman squad in Dublin:

Send mail to graham@fhlta.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004 Freeman Heart & Lung Transplant Association
Last modified: 10-06-2008