Transplant Team Ireland - Saturday's latest news from the track

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Saturday's latest news from the track

Written by Colin White

Saturday, 29 August 2009

Just heard that Tony Gartland has won a gold medal in the 5km Walk - a great performance from a great competitor; and John 'The Athlete Formerly Known As The Bullet But From This Moment Forward Destined To Be Known Only As The Bolt' Loftus completed a magical double on the track. Superb stuff.

Gold medal for Tony Gartland today

I don't know much about Tony's gold just yet, but I know that The Bolt ran 31.95 seconds to beat UK legend Mick Foster into second place in the 200m.
Mick won the World title in Bangkok two years ago, and at these Games had won the 400m and 800m titles. John passed him on the bend, and held on to win by .5 of a second. The two men hugged at the finish to acknowledge the other's contribution to what was a thrilling contest. This victory gave John the coveted 100m and 200m titles for men aged 60 and over at these Games.
"I'm very happy with this win. I had never run in the 200m before, believing I was just a 100m man. Mick and I had a great battle, and he proved himself to be a true sportsman afterwards in congratulating me wholeheartedly on my victory," said John, who hails from Clarina, Co. Limerick.
"I am sure our paths will cross again."
What follows may be more information than you need to know, but John told me all of this in the bath. It was Mary O'Rourke, wasn't it, who once told Morning Ireland that she was in the bath when she heard breaking news of something or other. As it happens, John was actually in a bath of ice, because he pulled a muscle in the closing stages of today's race. There was the occasional screech, and I could almost see the grimace down the phone.
I was watching Wicklow v Down on the television a few weeks back, and when the final whistle went, the Wicklow crowd poured onto the field to celebrate one of the most famous wins in their history. Who was first man in? Yes - Tony Gartland from Hacketstown.
I'm sure I saw Mick O'Dwyer firing a second glance at this speed merchant, and, you know what Micko's like. There could be a call-up to the Wicklow squad for next year.
The 19-strong team, ranging in age from 22 to 64, have travelled Down Under with 13 new kidneys, five new livers and one new kidney-pancreas.
“Every day, the athletes remember their donors, and each performance, let alone victory, is a way of saying thank you to the donors who gave them the gift of life,” said team manager Colin White.
A special website has been built – www.transplantteamireland.com – where supporters can follow the team’s progress. For an organ donor card FREETEXT the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050.

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