Athletes Take New Heart
The Melbourne Post-Times, Monday 4th September, 1989
TWO Preston City residents will be in Australia’s team for this year’s World Transplant Games in Singapore.
More than 1000 people from 37 countries will compete in the games from September 10-14.
Reservoir resident and kidney transplant recipient Mrs. Carol O’Brien said the Games “make us realise we’re not zombies and that we’re not alone”.
She said they gave the recipients a new lease on life, made them feel worthwhile and allowed them to participate in sports.
Mrs. O’Brien will compete in senior swimming events. It is her first time at the Games, although she received her new kidney six years ago.
She took up swimming after the operation and believes there is a good chance Australia can take out a gold medal.
Bundoora resident and bone marrow transplant recipient Ms Christine Griffiths will represent Australia in tennis and sprinting.
Ms Griffiths has been a long distance runner but will compete in the sprints because longer events are not on the program.
“I’ve never done the 100 m and 200 m sprints before, so I’ll be trying out something new,” Ms Griffiths said.
She expects to come across some tough competition, particularly from the Soviets, who are competing for the first time.
“The more the better,” Ms Griffiths said.
As part of her training she is running seven times a week, taking tennis lessons and playing four times a week. She took up tennis after her operation.
Both competitors have been sponsored by Apex.
(Photo Caption)
CHRISTINE Griffiths puts her best tennis shot into action as she prepares for the World Transplant Games.