Carlow’s Duignan at World Transplant Games
Tomorrow Carlow’s Bryan Duignan will represent Ireland in sprint triathlon at the 24th World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia.
First held 1978 in Portsmouth, UK, the World Transplant Games has grown to become the world’s largest awareness event for the gift of life and a beacon for transplant recipients, their families and supporters, donor families and living donors.
A Celebration of Life
Before travelling to the Games, we had the chance to catch up with Bryan at his home in Carlow, where he spoke about the importance of the games, and the opportunities that they give to transplant recipients;
“The games themselves have been on for years, this is the first time I’m going out. There’s 50 different countries and 1200 athletes, all who have had transplants of some description, heart, lungs, bone marrow and kidney. It’s a big celebration of the gift of life and the fact that everyone has been given this second chance and are able to compete and represent their country and wear the jersey with pride.”
Duignan received a kidney transplant in 2006 following a long illness and a year spent on dialysis. It was after receiving his transplant that Bryan was able to return to sport and activity;
“Got the call in 2006 and got transplanted and it was life changing, my quality of life imporoved dramatically and I was able to do sports and get back into normal routine. Though we’re not allowed to do contact sports because we need to protect the area where the transplanted kidney is, I was still able to potter around doing a bit of golf and a bit of five-a-side which was non contact.”
Bryan’s journey in triathlon began during the pandemic lockdown when encouraged by his partner Lara, an experienced triathlete and member of Carlow Triathlon Club. He started by running 5k, then borrowing a bike and eventually joining his local club in Carlow and improving his swimming.
After completing his first triathlon at Hook of By Crook in September 2021, Bryan was hooked!
During the 2022 season, Bryan completed half a dozen races and built his confidence, experience and passion for the sport. Upon hearing from a club-mate that triathlon was included in this year’s Games, there was no question in his mind;
“As soon as I heard the full sprint triathlon was coming I thought ‘sign me up!’ and it snowballed from there.”
How is Bryan feeling about standing on the start line at the World Transplant Games in Perth?
“I’m nervous thinking about it. I know the nerves will be quite high because it’s massive, you never think you can represent your country but then you get the chance and you’re representing your club at home as well, your friends, your family, everyone that has supported me. It’s massive and I really, really am looking forward to it but the nervousness is in the background, nervous excitement. When I get there, I’ll leave it all there, no excuses as they say.”
An important message that Bryan wants to convey through his participation in the games is to raise awareness for organ donation, and the life changing opportunity it gives;
“Organ donation works, everyone needs to have the conversation at home with their loved ones, their friends, their family and let them know their wishes.”
Wishing Bryan and the rest of the team the very best of luck!
For More Info
To find out more about the World Transplant Games, visit their website here.
For updates from the Games follow Transplant Team Ireland on Instagram and Facebook.
