Athlone man in action at World Transplant Games
An Athlone man who underwent a life-changing kidney transplant less than two years ago has been taking part in the World Transplant Games for the first time this week.
Noel Marsden (39), from the Ballymahon Road in Athlone, previously represented Ireland at the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Finland in 2016, and at the British Transplant Games the following year.
In his appearance at the World Games this week he was scheduled to compete in swimming (100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 100m breastroke), badminton doubles, and petanque (a type of bowls game) doubles.
The games, in Newcastle Gateshead, England, began last Saturday and continue until this weekend.
In preparation, Noel was training several times a week in the pools in Athlone Regional Sports Centre and Clara, as well as travelling to Dundalk to practice with his badminton doubles partner, Tommy Marrett.
"Between the training and work, it does take up a good part of my week!" he told the Westmeath Independent last month.
He had his kidney transplant in November of 2017, after a decline in his renal function meant he required dialysis treatment for almost five years previously.
A big fan of Connacht rugby and Aston Villa FC, Noel is interested in most sports, particularly swimming, rugby, and soccer.
The proud father of a daughter, Ava, he was living in Portlaoise for a spell but is now back living in his home town of Athlone.
At the world games he is aiming to surpass his 'personal best' times in swimming, and to encourage more people to join Transplant Team Ireland for next year's European championships in Dublin.
Ahead of this landmark moment in his sporting journey, Noel emphasised the importance of organ donation, which can simply transform lives.
"I'm grateful to my donor and to all donor families, and I'd really appreciate if anyone reading this would take a minute to consider becoming an organ donor themselves and to talk to their loved ones about their wishes," he said prior to the start of the games.
In addition to Noel, there are two other Westmeath competitors at the World Transplant Games:Mullingar's Finian Farrell, a two-time kidney transplant recipient, and John Connell, another kidney transplant recipient from Mullingar, who is currently living in South Africa.
In total, 39 members of Transplant Team Ireland are competing at the World Games.
The team of 29 men and 10 women have all undergone organ transplants, including one heart transplant, one lung transplant, 5 liver transplants, one bone marrow transplant, and 31 kidney transplants.
"We cover a wide range of sports and have a variety of levels of experience too," commented Irish team manager, Colin White.
"Our five competitors over the age of 70 are a fantastic example to us all in that sport can, and should, be a life-long habit. Each competitor is an ambassador in their own right and collectively the team sends out a wonderfully uplifting message about how life can be post-transplant."
The Irish group is among 2,000 participants, from over 60 countries, who will take part in the World Games.
Athletes will compete in their respective age categories in badminton, cycling, darts, golf, petanque, squash, swimming, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis, mini-marathon, and track and field.