Sport for All: IOC signs agreement with World Transplant Games Federation
United under a common objective of promoting physical and sporting activities to all for the well-being of society, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has signed an unprecedented Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Transplant Games Federation (WTFG).
The WTGF stages international sporting events, including the World Transplant Games, in order to highlight the importance of physical activity for organ-transplant recipients, to promote the physical success of transplant surgery, to raise public awareness on organ donation, and inspire recipients to get active.
“The IOC will help to create awareness within the Olympic Movement and amongst athletes for this important topic,” said IOC President Thomas Bach regarding this Memorandum, which is in line with the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future, Olympic Agenda 2020. “It is our shared interest to make the world a better place through sport.”
The WTGF President, Chris Thomas, in turn added: “This is an unprecedented opportunity. The value of support by the Olympic Movement for our social health issue cannot be measured.”
The agreement between the two sporting bodies creates an important link between the IOC’s Sport and Active Society Commission and its related programmes, which endeavour to get people of all ages and abilities around the world moving, and the WTGF’s ”Fit for Life! Programme”, which aims to motivate and support the worldwide transplant population into leading an active life and practising sport at all levels post-transplantation surgery.
Learn more about the IOC’s Sport and Active Society programmes here
Visit www.wtfg.org for more information on the World Transplant Games Federation.