9. Closing of the Games and Gala Dinner
August 23 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/PamCassidyMcCrea
Today marks the end of the games with the Gala dinner held tonight.
The irony is not lost on me, that these games, held in Dresden this week are in a city , that was razed to the ground in WW2 and rebuilt. It’s not unlike our lives post Transplant.
Today marked the last relays with a number of Irish teams running and a junior girls 100m. After that the games officially closed with the Circle of Life- all athletes, spectators, family make their way and stand around the track. It pays tribute to the donors and families and symbolises the cyclical nature of life where life continues from the generosity of the donors. Flags and mascots aplenty with the team managers in the centre of the ground- there’s a mad sprint into the middle, holding hands and flags then enough hugs to keep us going until the next games in 2 years - Belgium 🇧🇪 2027.
I was sitting with the other members of the Irish team and supporters in the stands so it took a while to make it down to the track. Watching all these people, the families make their way there-None of this would happen without Organ Donation. There would be no Transplant games- It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
A bit of a sleep then down to the ICD for the Gala Dinner- the last official event where the Northern Ireland team manager Orla, called over to the Irish table to inform Mairead that she had beaten her own WR 800m by 0.2 seconds. Needless to say- we all went a bit bonkers. Such an amazing week for the Wonder Woman of the Irish team. 🍀 Not everyone on the team medalled but for everyone here, just an incredible week.
On Tuesday at the golf, after chatting and interviewing Liz, the WTG president. I was asked to tell my tale about getting to the Paris Olympics and my transplant journey, to put up on their Instagram feed. The WTGF is linked with the IOC. In work they used to joke that I was the Armadillo-crunchy on the outside- soft in the centre. I shared the Instagram post with my family, choosing not to post it online- but they went and shared 🙈 it anyway- so I might as well too. 😊 Not sure how the wording laid over the video is so off - Northern accent maybe?
See links below for Instagram feed for WTG: Circle of Life and WTG: Interview.
💕Pam
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