From 17–25 August, 120 Australians travelled to Dresden, Germany to participate at the 2025 World Transplant Games, joining 2,500 athletes from 55 nations, aged between 4 and 85, across 17 different sports.
The Australian team delivered outstanding performances, bringing home an impressive 82 medals – 29 gold, 30 silver and 23 bronze – earning 5th place on the overall medal leaderboard. Our swimmers were particularly dominant, claiming 13 medals in the pool and setting the tone for a week filled with inspiring achievements.
Beyond the competition, athletes also participated in lead-in events and media opportunities to promote organ and tissue donation, drawing widespread coverage and even the attention of the Governor-General of Australia.
A Celebration of Spirit and Support
Transplant Australia Life Member Glenda Rayment beautifully captured the heart of the event, reflecting:
“The care and support shown by team members was outstanding. Our transplant family were amazing. The spirit of the games was well and truly evident. Everyone participated and celebrated with distinction and honoured their donors with pride.”
Her words resonated throughout the week, as athletes competed not only for medals but to celebrate the gift of life and the donors who made it possible.
Memorable Moments and Personal Triumphs
Among the many highlights was the recognition of Mick Kennedy, who was honoured as the team’s flagbearer before being inducted into the World Transplant Games Hall of Fame. Competing in his 11th Games – a remarkable 31 years post-lung transplant – Mick’s journey stands as a testament to living life to the fullest.
For liver recipient Geoff Jessup, the Games were about personal achievement as much as competition:
“I went with no expectations of winning a medal, only with dreams of how I might perform on the day. To obtain personal bests and a silver medal is a huge motivation to continue training in preparation for the 2026 Australian Transplant Games and the next 2027 World Transplant Games.”
Track and field athlete Emma Wilmott shared her own highlight:
“My favourite moment was racing in the 4x100m with an amazing team and being able to secure the bronze for Australia.”
Meanwhile, kidney recipient Andrew Veigel described the experience as:
“One of the best weeks of my transplant games journey.”
Gratitude and Support
Such success was made possible with the support of volunteer team managers Margaret Hill and Julie Scudds, team physiotherapist Peta Jordan, the Transplant Australia team and the vital backing of partners including DonateLife and the Australian Sports Commission. As one athlete expressed:
“A deep and heartfelt gratitude and thanks to everyone at Transplant Australia and the partners for the huge effort you made to make our participation in Dresden 2025 possible.”
Looking Ahead
With the next World Transplant Games set for July 2027 in Leuven, Belgium, excitement is already building for another opportunity to showcase the gratitude, resilience, and sporting excellence of Australia’s transplant community.
Congratulations to all the athletes – your determination and achievements have made Australia proud.
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