Having competed in ten previous bi-annual World Transplant Games, veteran cyclist and kidney transplant recipient Zoë Dixon was hoping to add to her impressive medal haul at this year’s Games.
On 17 August,1500 Transplant Athletes and a further 1000 participants, including Live Donors, Donor family members and athlete supporters from 51 countries gathered in Dresden, Germany for the World Transplant Games. A week-long sporting competition and celebration of everything that is made possible by the incredible gift and generosity of organ and bone marrow/stem cell donors.
Having competed in ten previous bi-annual Transplant Games, veteran cyclist and kidney transplant recipient Zoë Dixon was hoping to add to her impressive medal haul at this year’s Games.
Attending these Games can cost athletes upwards of £2,000 each, just with the expenses of travel, accommodation, and the participation fee. This can be even more if transporting specialist sports equipment, needed by athletes. So, when Zoë applied for funding from our Elite Sponsorship Fund, we were only too happy to provide £450 towards her costs.
We caught up with Zoë, after the Games to hear how it went.
“On the first evening at the Opening Ceremony, which took place at the main athletics stadium in Dresden, I was hugely honoured to be inducted into the World Transplant Games Federation 'Hall of Fame 2025’, along with 21 other athletes from around the World during the ceremony. I was absolutely delighted to be presented with the 'Hall of Fame Spirit of Competition' Award by the WTGF President. Having competed for Great Britain in 10 or more World Games, since my first in 2003.
After the Opening Ceremony my 11th World Transplant Games began and I took part in the Cycling events over two days. The first day in the 10km Individual Time Trial where I came 6th in my age category and then in the 2-up Ladies Open Age 20km Team Time Trial, where we came 5th. The following day in the 30km Road Race I came 7th in my age category. Although I didn't add to my World Games medal haul this time as I’d hoped, I gave it my absolute all, as always, and was really pleased with my riding and performances. I can't ask for more than that, and I'm always just so grateful that I'm actually able to do this.”
Across the fantastic Games week there were 17 sports taking place. Team GB with 266 athletes came top of the overall medal table with over 400 medals! Germany came second and the USA came third.
“I’d like to thank all the players of the CSSC community lottery, whose generous support has helped me to not only represent my country on the World stage but has also enabled me to continue to demonstrate the benefits of transplantation through sport and help raise awareness for all those still waiting for their precious gift of life.” - Zoë Dixon MBE
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