A Bridgnorth sportsman will jetting out ‘Down Under’ next month to represent the UK in a battle for gold medals at the World Transplant Games.
Richard Smith, 42, is off to represent the UK in the games and will be captaining the cycling team on the Australian Gold Coast from August 22-30.
He was given a life-saving liver transplant over 16 years ago at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after going into a coma and being given 48 hours to live.
Richard, of Claremont Drive, is among a host of athletes who were selected following outstanding performances in last year’s British Transplant Games at Sheffield, where he won gold medals in both the road race and time trial events, He has held the British title since 1999 and will be defending it at Coventry on August 1.
Richard, a third cat road racer, is a long-term member of Wrekinsport cycling club competing regularly in events around Shropshire.
He has represented the United Kingdom on four previous occasions in Hungary (1999), Japan (2001), France (2003) and, most recently, Thailand in 2007. He is the current World Champion in his age group in both the time trial and the road race.
“Being asked to represent your country is a huge honour, to be a captain within the team even more so,” said Richard “The games have played an important role in helping me live a full and active life giving me an important target, following my successful transplant.
“This event is highly competitive but is also a vital part of the rehabilitation process and gives all competitors a focus, as well being a place to celebrate the gift of life and an opportunity to thank our donors and their families.
“The whole team is looking forward to the buzz and excitement on The Gold Coast, where we plan to bring back a host of gold medals inspired by British success in the Tour de France and the Olympic Games.”
Supported by the International Olympic Committee, the World Transplant Games, which is held every two years, represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a nine day series of sporting events.
The UK Team of 150 athletes will join over 1000 others from some 55 countries across the globe, all of whom have undergone an organ transplant.
In 2007 the team returned home from the World Games in Bangkok, Thailand, triumphant, boasting a total of 293 medals and claiming the overall winning title for the 16th World Transplant Games. s title is high for the UK team in 2009.