Virtual Transplant Games

The 30 July– 2 August 2020 saw Transplant Sport present their first ever Virtual Westfield Health British Transplant Games. Taking place on social media and in people’s homes across the UK replacing the annual British Games which were postponed due to the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic didn't stop the transplant community from continuing to celebrate the gift of life as they took the celebrations online! Athletes were encouraged to do as much as they could from home. The Virtual Opening Ceremony kicked off the weekend with a series of videos from past ceremonies and athlete parades, messages from the host city Coventry as well as a lighting of the Donor Family Flame to mark the official start of the Games. Over the course of the weekend transplant recipients were encouraged to complete activities at home in place of the events they were due to be competing in and share their results. Whether that was throwing paper airplanes instead of javelins, swimming in paddling pools, cycling or playing table tennis on the kitchen table, the more creative the better! Sunday then saw the closing ceremony and official handover to Leeds who are due to host in 2021. Team Oxford did their bit for the weekend. With 3 hospital members of staff and 3 transplant patients (all socially distanced) cycle 50k around the picturesque Oxfordshire villages.