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Transplant Team Ireland

Countdown to World Transplant Games - Sweden 2011   2011-6-17 17:00:00 GMT+00:00

Home arrow Colin's Blog arrow Arrival & Opening Ceremony.....
Arrival & Opening Ceremony..... PDF Print E-mail
Written by Colin White   
Sunday, 31 August 2008
ImageWe arrived in Frankfurt yesterday afternoon to see blue sky and sunshine!  It was a great welcome and put a smile on everyone's faces.  We were met by very helpful Games volunteers and escorted to our bus.  The trip to Wurzburg was uneventful and we got registration and hotel check in organised before all going for dinner.

It was a long day but everything seemed to fall into place and it was great to be in Germany and ready for Games week to begin.

This morning we all met up to go on what was a very enjoyable day trip.  We got to see plenty of the local sites and the weather again was fabulous.  Our guide, Max, enjoyed his day as he regularly takes tour groups to Ireland and thus understands Irish humour - he's a big fan of Father Ted!

The Opening Ceremony was on this evening and Wurzburg certainly knew that the Irish were in town as we made plenty of noise and were very colourful.  Ciaran McGee (2 years old) beat his bodhran whilst he shouted, "C'mon Ireland!" 

It was great to see the teams from all the other countries (there are 23 countries at the Games).  For those who have been to European and World Games before it was an opportunity to renew old friendships and for those who are at their first international Games it was an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere, meet new people and realise that they are part of an enormous and friendly international community.

The parade into the Opening Ceremony was very lively - the MC really got the crowd going.  It was outdoors which was very pleasant. Mick Dwyer, team captain, carried the Irish flag and waved it high and proud.  Marie O'Connor greeted Wurzburg on behalf of our team.  We whooped and hollered as all the teams entered and there was a great atmosphere.  There was some nice entertainment and many speeches.  The fireworks display drew a great reaction from the crowd!

Tomorrow the competition begins.  John Loftus and Eamon Malone will be representing us in table tennis.  They are both Super Veterans and there are 10 competitors in their category for the event.  It is fabulous that these competitors, who are all over 60, have the opportunity and enthusiasm to embrace sports competition.  They are examples to us all!

I will sign off for now.

Colin
 
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