Coventry students help athletes go for gold at World Transplant Games

Coventry sports therapy students are helping Britain’s athletes go for gold as they support Team GB at the World Transplant Games in Malaga this week.

The final year students, researchers and staff members from Coventry University will form part of the medical team supporting Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland when the Games get underway today (June 26).

Coventry’s students will be on hand to offer sports massages, strength and conditioning advice, and a range of tailored exercise support to help athletes get through an intense week of competition.

The group has been fundraising for the trip throughout the year, as well as making sure competitors across the Midlands got the most of their training by offering free therapy and massage sessions. 

The World Transplant Games take place every two years for competitors aged from four to 80-years-old who have undergone some form of transplant including heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, liver, and bone marrow.

The sporting event aims to raise awareness of organ donation and will this year see 2,500 competitors representing 55 nations in athletics, cycling, running, swimming, golf, tennis, badminton, squash, volleyball, and bowling.

Team GB has put forward its biggest team for 2017 to date with over 200 athletes, 20 juniors and 10 donors. They hope to build on success in 2015 success where athletes topped the tables by securing over 100 gold medals and setting new Transplant Games records.