Oxford to host Olympics-style Transplant Games

An Olympics-style sporting event for people who have received organ transplants will be held in Oxford next summer.

The 2025 British Transplant Games will see more than a thousand athletes descended on venues across the city for a weekend of competition between 31 July and 3 August.

The multi-sport festival, which will feature athletes ranging from ages three to eighty-plus, is organised by the charity Transplant Active.

Dr Paul Harden, the charity's chair, said it's ambition was to "empower transplant recipients to optimise their gift of life through an active lifestyle".

Dr Harden, who is based in Oxford, is also chairing the 2025 games in his home city.

He said the games aim to "raise awareness about the transformative power of organ donation".

"Together, we can celebrate the inspiring achievements of transplanted athletes and honour the gift of life through promoting the critical importance of organ donation," he added.

The games have been staged annually since 1978, and see teams from 60 hospitals across the UK compete against one another.

Among those representing Oxford are18 year-old Blossom Martin, who received a transplant from her mother18 months ago.

Blossom told the BBC at the games launch event, hosted by Blenheim Palace, that she was "really excited" to take part in the "amazing event".

She added: "I'm just really grateful, it [her transplant] has been a lifesaving gift".

Also representing team Oxford will be Adam Isaac, who has previously taken part in the games.

He said the "most important" part of the event was the "social element".

"People are going through the same situation, and [its a chance to] share their stories and connect with each other," he added.

Oxford previously hosted the European Transplant Games in 2022.

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