No medal for James, but ‘how lucky I am’

Though he wasn’t in the medals this time, James Nolan came back from the World Transplant Games having once again enjoyed being with other transplant athletes who appreciated the gift of life, writes Brian Byrne.

He was among the 38-strong Team Ireland which between them brought home 50 medals. These comprised 17 Gold, 18 Silver and 15 Bronze.

In all there were some 2,600 athletes competing in Gateshead, UK, last week, and James says their appreciation for being able to be there was ‘tangible’.

“Seeing old friends, making new ones, the games make you stop and think about how lucky we are,” he said when the team came back to a rousing welcome at Dublin Airport last Saturday.

“Having Emma and Andrew James here and being able to call my sister Catherine, my kidney donor of 32 years ago, to say thank you is what it is all about. Life is precious and this reminds me of how lucky I am."

James was the only Kildare transplant athlete in the team this year.

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