Having competed in Swimming, Ten-Pin-Bowling and a 3k-race walk, the athlete is delighted with her performance over the past week. Orla has had four kidney transplants; her most recent was from her brother Cathal. The Tipperary native, first represented her country in Slovenia, in 2004 and she hasn’t looked back since.

Transplant Team Ireland will be travelling home to Dublin tomorrow, without Orla. While Hogan’s teammates will be relaxing this weekend, this Irish athlete won’t be. Orla will be travelling to Athens, Greece, for the Special Olympics as a volunteer. Her role will be to keep the scores in Bocce, a game very similar to Petanque. At this year’s Special Olympics, Ireland has 120 athletes and boasts an impressive 200 volunteers. Orla commented; “I am really looking forward to the Olympics and I would just like to wish the team the best of luck.”

Hogan further spoke of the World Transplant Games, describing the atmosphere as “amazing” and that the Games are about “doing your best. When our team travels away together, the team spirit is next to none. What I enjoy most is meeting athletes that I have met at previous games and of course meeting new people.”

Orla travelled from Nenagh, with her friend and fellow competitor; Sheila Gregan, who is a recipient of two kidneys. This is Sheila’s first ever World Games and the swimmer is having the time of her life and has won a Silver medal. Orla had persuaded Sheila to take part in the European Games, Dublin, last year and since then the athlete is “hooked.” Sheila spoke at breakfast explaining that she “didn’t know what to expect.” Sheila competed in swimming and a 3k-walk race. She continued, “I had trained hard for the swimming competition. I was very pleased with my performance. I also do a lot of hill walking for a charity called `Debra’ and this really paid off in the 3k-race walk. I didn’t expect to win a medal.” Sheila proudly accepted the silver medal.

Both athletes discussed how support is a major factor in making the games better. Family, friends, work colleagues and other squad members all make the experience worthwhile. The athletes finally explained how people are becoming more aware of organ donation and that the games are a great way of attracting more people to get donor cards.

This is Ireland’s biggest ever team competing at the World Transplant Games. The Irish team of 33 athletes range in age from 9 to 70+ and are among 1100 athletes from over 50 countries who are participate in the Games which are being held in Gothenburg. The Team will return home to Ireland on Friday, 24^th June.

The Irish Team members have all received major organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for managing Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at the Games.